2 4 Symposium Schedule

5 Presenter Order (In Alphabetical Order as Shown in the Index of Presenters)

12 Lightning Talk Abstracts Session I | 12 Session II | 25 Session III | 38 Session I V| 51 TABLETABLE OFOF 59 Summer Undergraduate Research Opportunities Contents & Funding

63 Research Awards

65 Acknowledgments

66 Index of Presenters

68 Notes

69 Contact Information (On the back cover) Symposium Schedule

12:00 Lunch & Check-In

12:30 Opening Remarks: Dr. Liam Frink, Executive Director of Undergraduate Research Dr. Mary Croughan, Vice President of Research & Economic Development

12:40 Lightning Talks: SU 207: Presenters 1-12 SU 209: Presenters 25-36 SU 211: Presenters 49-60

1:40 Break/ Poster Presentations: SU 208: Poster Presenters 1-14

2:05 Lightning Talks: SU 207: Presenters 13-24 SU 209: Presenters 37-48 SU 211: Presenters 61-73

3:15 Closing Remarks Lightning Talks

SESSION I: PRESENTERS 1-12 Student Union Room 207

1 “Changes in Glial Cell Morphology 7 “Effects of Hydrogen Peroxide on Mediate the Antidepressant Effects Fungal Growth and Germination of Electroconvulsive Therapy” in Saccharum Ravennae Seeds” Elaine Aquino, School of Life Sciences Kevin Berghel, School of Life Sciences

2 “The Role of Extracellular Matrix 8 “Characterizing the Effect of Proteins in Protecting Pseudomonas Salmonella Enzymes on ICSP Aeruginosa Biofilms From Promoter Activity and the Congo Tobramycin” Red Phenotype” Sophia Araujo-Hernandez, School of Life Scott Billings, School of Life Sciences Sciences 9 “Chemical Surface Structure of 3 “Cyanide Content in Smoothies Cu(in,Ga)Se2 Absorbers for Thin- and Juices Commonly Found in film Solar Cells” Health Food Stores” Mary Blankenship, Department of Adriana Baker, James Stordock, & Ryan Mathematical Sciences Taggart, College of Southern Nevada, Department of Biological Sciences 10 “A Skip in the Beat?: Comparing Musical Beat Perception in 4 “Does Elevation Affect the Children with and without Stomatal Density, and Stomatal Stutters” Spacing Patterns Found in P. Da Laina Cameron, University of Denver Tremuloides?” Tristan Bakerink, School of Life Sciences 11 “Characterizing a Lysogenic Strain of Paenibacillus larvae” 5 “Optogenetic Stimulation of Hector Aviles, College of Southern Nevada, the Thalamic Reticular Nucleus Department of Biological Sciences Decreases Arousal” Jeffrey Barker, Department of Psychology 12 “Hunting for Holins in the Paenibacillus Larvae Phage Willow 6 “Starvation Recovery in Drosophila Genome” Melanogaster” Erin Cassin, School of Life Sciences Serena Benito, School of Life Sciences 6

SESSION I: PRESENTERS 13-24 Student Union Room 207

13 “Histological Analysis of Lung 19 “The Effect of Cold Water Tissue Features in Rodents Immersion on Running Exposed in Areas with Naturally Mechanics” Occurring Asbestos” Lucas DiBenedetto, Department of Camille Catelo, School of Nursing Kinesiology and Nutrition Sciences

14 “Design and Synthesis of Ionic 20 “Anxiolytics Effects of TSPO Liquid Crystals” Ligands” Anthony Chang, School of Life Sciences Audrey Donald, Department of Psychology

15 “Design of a Fluidized Bed 21 “The Effect of Temperature on Photoreactor for the Application an Indicator Enzyme in the of Advanced Oxidation Processes Protoendothermic Mammal, to Water Treatment” Tenrec Ecaudatus” Kevin Chau, Department of Chemistry and Nathan Ebiya, School of Life Sciences Biochemistry 22 “Utilization of Waist 16 “Antidepressant Action of Circumference To Determine Type 25I-NBOH” 2 Diabetes Risk Among Normal Chase Colburn, School of Life Sciences and Overweight Individuals” Hayley Esdaile, Department of Kinesiology 17 “Understanding 5ht2 Receptor and Nutrition Sciences Expression to Develop Novel Antidepressants” 23 “Gut Microbiome Effects on April Contreras, Department of Psychology Desiccation Resistance in Drosophila Melanogaster” 18 “The Relationship Between Andrea Darby, School of Life Sciences Body Size, Starvation Times and Fecundity in F2 Female Hybrids 24 “The Art.Is.T Project” of Fed Control and Starvation Melissa Del Rosario, Department of Resistant Lines of Drosophila Architecture Melanogaster” Cassandra Dasmarinas, Department of Anthropology

*See Index of Presenters on Page 66 Lightning Talks

SESSION II: PRESENTERS 25-36 Student Union Room 209

25 “Anthropometry among 31 “Assessment of the Production Hadza Children and Juveniles: of Hydroxyl Radical Using Nano Implications for Understanding Zero-valent Iron Embedded in A Human Biology and Biology” Meso-porous Silica Matrix” Elle Ford, Department of Psychology Steven Huezo, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry 26 “Classroom as Harbor: Roundtable Discussion” 32 “Reparation and Structure Taylore Fox & Tyler Howard, Department of Lanthanide Complexes of English Coordinated To FcCOO and DTBbpy Ligands” 27 “Correlation Between Height Natalie Johns, Department of Chemistry and and Flexibility of the Medial Biochemistry Longitudinal Arch and Shock Absorption” 33 “Examining Changes in Excitation Kumiko Hashida, Department of and Inhibition in a Model of Kinesiology & Nutrition Sciences Developmental Epilepsy” Christina Joya, School of Life Sciences 28 “The Mexican Oil industry and Underrepresented Communities” 34 “A Sweet Defeat: Early Detection Alejandra Herrera, Department of Political of Hyperglycemia-linked Memory Science Deficits” Nikki Kaplan, Department of Psychology 29 “Effects of HPV-16,18 on Normal Breast Tissue Cells” 35 “Influence of Treated Wastewater Louisa Heske, School of Life Sciences in Hydroponic Systems on Contaminant Bioaccumulation in 30 “The Role of Social influences on Edible Plants” Student Efficacy, Belongingness, Kristen Kujat, Nevada State College, Achievement and Retention in Department of Physical and Life Sciences Stem” Alexis Hilts, School of Life Sciences 36 “Many Babies: A Collaborative Approach To Replication in Infant Research” Melissa Lacro, Harvard College 8

SESSION II: PRESENTERS 37-48 Student Union Room 209

37 “Evidence for a Two-factor Model 43 “Movement Analysis in the of Emotional Awareness” Discoveries of Novel Neuro- Carl Langley, Department of Psychology Diagnosis, interventions, and Therapies” 38 “Improving a 7-point Stencil Kendra McGlothen, Department of Algorithm From Intel With Chisel- Psychology based Hardware Encoding” Armon Latifi, Department of Electrical and 44 “Characterizing the Antibiotic Computer Engineering Resistance of Enterococcus Bacteria in Wastewater Treatment Plants” Sean Medina, School of Life Sciences 39 “10 Seconds Around the World: A Cross Cultural Study on Tempo 45 “Determination of Gender Effects on Perception” ADH1” Jared W. Leslie, Department of Psychology Kristie Menjivar, Nevada State College, Department of Physical and Life Sciences 40 “Design and Synthesis of Polypyridyl Ligands for the 46 “Improving the Functionality of a Development of Photoluminescent Low-cost Prosthetic Hand” Materials” Patrick Messimer, Department of Mechanical Jessa Li, School of Life Sciences Engineering

41 “Effects of Larval Starvation on 47 “A Novel Behavioral Task for Adult Lipid Storage in Drosophila?” Assessing the Nature of Reward Victoria Martinez, School of Life Sciences Prediction in Rodent ACC Units” Ryan Francis, Department of Psychology 42 “Modeling Combined Radiation and Immunotherapy in Cancer 48 “Synthesis of Thio Treatment” Azaphosphonates with Tiffany Mata, Department of Mechanical N-Heterocyclic Phosphine- Engineering Thioureas” Ngantu Le, School of Life Sciences

*See Index of Presenters on Page 66 Lightning Talks

SESSION III: PRESENTERS 49-60 Student Union Room 211

49 “Differentiation Potential of 55 “Are Tenrecs ‘Primitive’ Dental Pulp Stem Cells (DPSC) in Mammals?” Vitro” Alhan Rezazadeh, School of Life Sciences Eric Mullins, Department of Mathematical Sciences 56 “Biomarkers of Inflammation” Tanya Ricasa, School of Life Sciences 50 “Children Synchronize Their Finger Taps To Rhythms Through 57 “Modeling Species Interactions Iterated Reproduction” With Harvesting Using Nonlinear Jessica Mussio, Department of Psychology Differential Equations” Delon Roberts, Department of 51 “Bowel and Bladder injuries Mathematical Sciences Secondary to intrauterine Device Perforation” 58 “Investigating Music Perception Ian Ogurek, Department of Kinesiology and in Diverse Populations Through Nutrition Sciences Online Testing” Anthony J. Romero, Department of 52 “Keeping the Beat When It Is Not Psychology Your Own: Testing Cross-Cultural Beat Perception in Children” 59 “Blood Cell Dynamics in a Liza Patrice Paez, School of Nursing Protoendothermic Mammal” Charles Ronkon, School of Life Sciences 53 “Hotel TVs À La Mode?” Sandra Perez, Department of Sociology 60 “Longitudinal, Linguistic Analysis of Critical Thinking, inquiry, 54 “Caught on Camera: Who Spends and Communication Skills More Time Engaging in Cross-race Development among Second-year Interactions?” Seminar Students” Paula Ramirez, Nevada State College, Yana Ryjova, Department of Psychology Department of Psychology 10

SESSION III: PRESENTERS 61-72 Student Union Room 211

61 “Invertebrate Utilization of 67 “Ability and Trait Emotional Riparian Plant Communities Intelligence Predict Different Restored in a Desert Watershed” Aspects of Academic Success” Nha Trang Vivian Sam, School of Life Fae Tahimic & Kaela Palmer, Multiple Sciences Disciplines

62 “Regrowing a Tail: Does 68 “The Effects of Spanish Imperialism Regeneration Catch up to Normal on Bison Migration” Department of History Size?” Jenni Tifft-Ochoa, Alexis Sauceda-Quintero, School of Life 69 “Murine Model of Social Sciences Isolation Alters Astrocyte Endfeet Morphology” 63 “Interferon-gamma as a Novel Beatriz Torres, Department of Psychology Therapeutic for Depression-like Symptoms” 70 “Reliability and Validity of the Ken Schultze, School of Life Sciences Center of Pressure Measurements for Medilogic Insoles” 64 “Directly Testing the Nutrient Ashley Trotter, Department of Kinesiology and Assimilation Model for the Nutrition Sciences Evolution of Endothermy” Daylin Sigler, School of Life Sciences 71 “Synthesis of Novel Fluorinated Pyronins” 65 “Oxytocin and Grandmothering Brandon Walls, Nevada State College, Behavior” Department of Physical and Life Sciences Lexy Silva, Department of Anthropology 72 “Ethanol Induction of Willow 66 “Investigation for Evidence of Phage in Paenibacillus Larvae” Active Immunity in Torpid Tenrec Alicia Salisbury, School of Life Sciences Ecaudatus” Catlene Jeorgia Smith, School of Life Sciences

*See Index of Presenters on Page 66 Poster Presentations Summer Research EXperience Program

SESSION IV: PRESENTERS 1-14 Student Union Room 208

1 “Content Of Degradtion: 8 “A Flying Dexter: The Challenge Of Biodegradation” Live Aerial Performer” Amanda Arteaga, Exploring Majors Kalvin Major

2 “Effects of Albedo and Spectrum on 9 “A Flying Dexter: The Challenge of Photovoltaic Panels” Live Aerial Performer” Allan Bartolome, East Career and Technical Silver Mendoza-Matute, Southeast Career Academy Technical Academy

3 “Hydrologic Watershed Mapping: 10 “An Integrated Ecosystem-level Returning an Urbanized Watershed Analysis of the Dissimilatory Nitrogen to its Pre-urbanized Runoff Cycle in Geothermal Systems” Carl Montemayor, Southwest Career and Parameters” Technical Academy Kira Champelli, Green Valley High School 11 “Assessment of Cufeo as a Solar 4 “GPS and Heart Rate Monitor Data Absorber Coating for High- From Child Foragers among the temperature Concentrated Solar Hadza of Tanzania: Towards a Better Power Systems” Understanding Food Production Idalia Soto, Veterans Tribute Career and Technical among Hunter-Gatherers” Academy Regina de Castro, College of Southern Nevada, Department of Human Behavior 12 “Chromium Removal from Waters with Ion-exchange and Granular 5 “GPS Foraging Data among Activated Carbon” the Hadza: Implications for Alicia Sun, Duke University Understanding the Sexual Division of Labor” 13 “Characterization of Anti-candida Deidra Dilworth, Valley High School Activity by Kluyveromyces Marxianus B0399” 6 “Culvert Construction and Its Effects Caroline Thomas, Green Valley High School on the Lower Las Vegas Wash” 14 “PMBENCH: Benchmark for Accessing Solomon Feinstein, Valley High School System Paging Performance With Low- latency SSDS” 7 “Perchlorate and Chromium David Vega, College of Southern Nevada, Biodegradation Using Emulsified Department of Computing and information Oils” Technology Padmanabhan Krisnaswami, Bannari Amman Institute of Technology

*See Index of Presenters on Page 66 12

CHANGES IN GLIAL CELL MORPHOLOGY MEDIATE THE ANTIDEPRESSANT EFFECTS OF ELECTROCONVULSIVE THERAPY

Elaine Aquino School of Life Sciences

Faculty Research Mentor: Dustin Hines, Ph.D. University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Department of Psychology

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a fast-acting and effective treatment for the crippling mood disorder known as major depressive disorder with a long history of clinical use. Despite the history, the mechanism behind the antidepressant effects of ECT are relatively unknown. We propose that the benefits of electroconvulsive shock (ECS, animal model of ECT) comes from it inducing a change in glial cell morphology. Glial cells are a vital component in SessionSession II rapid and effective neuron signaling through their work in regulating ion concentrations as part of the tripartite synapse. This intimate association with neurons leads to their implication in a vast majority of Abstracts neurological diseases. Our lab has demonstrated how astrocytes contribute to neuron signaling in regulation of affective disorders. In this study we measured changes in astrocyte volume and branching in relation to depressed state before and after ECS treatment. Fluorescently labeled antibodies and light microscopy was used to determine astrocyte morphology. The depression-like state in mice was determined using behavioral tests such as open-field test, force swim test and tail suspension test. A change in astrocyte volume and level of branching in conjunction with behavioral test results would suggest a mechanism of action for ECS. THE ROLE OF EXTRACELLULAR MATRIX CYANIDE CONTENT IN SMOOTHIES AND PROTEINS IN PROTECTING PSEUDOMONAS JUICES COMMONLY FOUND IN HEALTH AERUGINOSA BIOFILMS FROM FOOD STORES TOBRAMYCIN Adriana Baker, Douglas Sims, James Stordock, & Sophia Araujo-Hernandez, Kenneth Calimlim, Ryan Taggart & Boo Shan Tseng College of Southern Nevada, Department of School of Life Sciences Biological Sciences

Faculty Research Mentor: Boo Shan Tseng, Ph.D. Faculty Research Mentor: Douglas Sims, Ph.D. University of Nevada, Las Vegas, School of Life College of Southern Nevada, Department of Physical Sciences Sciences

Pseudomonas aeruginosa, an opportunistic bacterial Cyanide occurs naturally in a variety of plants, pathogen, thrives in the lungs of cystic fibrosis patients fruits and kernels [seeds] in the form of cyanogenic due to its ability to form bacterial communities called glycosides, which are secondary metabolites biofilms. Notoriously difficult to eradicate, bacteria consisting of an α-hydroxynitrile and a sugar in biofilms are tolerant to antimicrobial attack than moiety. An assortment of drinks (e.g. smoothies, their free-swimming counterparts. This increased fruit juices) advertised as healthy and beneficial for tolerance of biofilms is in part due to its self-produced the body were analyzed. The highest concentration extracellular matrix, which surrounds the bacteria (341 μg-L-1) was detected in a commercially and consists of DNA, polysaccharides, lipids, and available smoothies containing flax seeds as one of proteins. While matrix proteins have been suggested the ingredients; commonly added for omega-3 acids, to play protective roles in the biofilm, little is known antioxidants and fiber. In contrast, smoothies with about this matrix component, and to date, few matrix no flax seed contained negligible or non-detectable proteins have been identified. We previously identified concentrations. While an average 70 kg person would 51 matrix proteins and investigated the role of these have to consume at least 156 smoothies to reach an matrix proteins in the ability of P. aeruginosa to acute dose, chronic exposure (“sub-lethal doses”) of produce biofilms. 35 of the 51 mutants had significant cyanide can lead to adverse health effects including defects in biofilm formation, of which 11 had general diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism/goiter, memory growth defects. We are now investigating the roles impairment, and problems with spermatogenesis. of the remaining 16 matrix proteins in protecting Additionally, a person with a low protein diet, or the biofilm from stress, specifically treatment by restricting themselves to natural green drinks will have tobramycin, an antibiotic commonly used in treating P. a lower resistance to cyanide related effects. With the aeruginosa infections. increased demand for raw and natural foods there is a potential exposure to cyanide at the sub-lethal level. This research will be presented at 2nd Annual Nevada Such exposure can lead to a variety of chronic health INBRE Poster Meeting, August 2017. related consequences. 14

DOES ELEVATION AFFECT THE STOMATAL OPTOGENETIC STIMULATION OF THE DENSITY, AND STOMATAL SPACING THALAMIC RETICULAR NUCLEUS PATTERNS FOUND IN P. TREMULOIDES? DECREASES AROUSAL

Tristan Bakerink Jeffrey Barker School of Life Sciences Department of Psychology

Faculty Research Mentor: Paul Schulte, Ph.D. Faculty Research Mentor: Rochelle Hines, Ph.D. University of Nevada, Las Vegas, School of Life University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Department of Sciences Psychology

Stomata are found on leaves of plants, and are used Arousal impacts critical processes including attention, for water vapor, and carbon dioxide diffusion. The information processing, and ultimately our general research that has been conducted is to determine well-being. Arousal can be thought of as a spectrum, whether elevation plays a significant role in either the ranging from low levels of arousal as seen in anesthesia spacing of stomata, or the relative number of total or sleep, to high levels of arousal such as alertness and stomata in a given area of leaf epidermis. Stomatal anxiety. Low levels of arousal are predominated by spacing has been implicated in patchy water potential inhibitory signaling controlled by the neurotransmitter in the leaf (if clustered), or more uniform if the gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA). The Thalamic stomata are randomly spaced. Stomatal density has Reticular Nucleus (TRN) is an integral contributor to been shown to increase as water potential decreases. the thalamocortical network in control of arousal. It Stomata spacing at lower spatial scales appears to is known that the TRN is an inhibitory brain center, be spaced away from other stomata, yet at higher but the specific GABA receptors involved in its action spatial scales the stomata are more randomly spaced. on other thalamic centers are completely unknown. Elevation may influence spacing or density, but more Recent advances in neuroscience have optimized light samples are needed to confirm. activated channels from flagellated green algae to control the activity of neuronal cells in the mammalian brain (Channelrhodopsins). Using a stereotactically administered Channelrhodopsin encoded by adenoassociated virus, we can optogenetically activate the TRN to release GABA with millisecond precision. After injection and implantation in mice, we can measure the impact of activating the TRN using electroencephalography and the Open Field Test as an assessment of arousal. Better understanding of this network can allow for development of more precise therapies of arousal-related issues ranging from anxiety to sleep disorders. STARVATION RECOVERY IN DROSOPHILA EFFECTS OF HYDROGEN PEROXIDE ON MELANOGASTER FUNGAL GROWTH AND GERMINATION IN SACCHARUM RAVENNAE SEEDS Serena Benito School of Life Sciences Kevin Berghel & Simone Jackson School of Life Sciences Faculty Research Mentor: Allen Gibbs, Ph.D. University of Nevada, Las Vegas, School of Life Faculty Research Mentor: Scott Abella, Ph.D. Sciences University of Nevada, Las Vegas, School of Life Sciences The intention of this experiment is to determine how the fruit fly species Drosophila melanogaster Saccharum ravennae (ravennagrass) is a large bunch will recover after a set period of starvation. For the grass invading the delicate ecosystem of Glen experiment, six populations of flies were collected: 3 Canyon Recreational Area (GLCA), which includes fed control (F) populations and 3 starvation-selected Lake Powell. Ravennagrass will continue to spread (S) populations. S flies contain much higher lipid levels throughout GLCA without better knowledge of its than F flies. Flies were starved until approximately half life history and in turn effective control methods. of them had died. Survivors were fed normal food and Little is known regarding the effects of prolonged collected every two days over the course of a month. seed submersion in water and a long-term inundation They were then dried for a minimum of 24 hours experiment is needed to start addressing this matter. and weighed. After the initial weighing, they were However, it is common for fungus growth to inhibit extracted with hexane over the course of 24 hours seed germination, potentially skewing the results. and weighed again. The difference in mass from before The focus of this study was to find a treatment and after lipid extraction is the lipid content. S flies method to ensure initial seed viability and minimize contained much higher lipid levels before starvation fungal growth over the length of a larger, long-term and regained lipid content over a period of weeks after inundation study. Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is re-feeding. This indicates that S flies have a higher set well studied and has been used to prevent fungus point for lipid storage that is not affected by starvation. growth during germination in some plant species. The treatments consisted of pretreating the seeds for This research will be presented at the 18th Annual McNair 2 hours in UV light followed by soaking in solutions & AANAPISI Scholars Undergraduate Research Symposium & of 3%, 6%, and 9% H2O2. Control treatments Reception, November 2017. were soaked in purified water. Trials of 10, 20, and 30 minutes were applied to each solution. The seeds were then placed in the germination chamber for one month, after which seed germination was counted and the approximate percent visible mold coverage was recorded. As expected, higher concentrations of H2O2 were more effective at preventing fungal growth, but seed germination was stunted. Results showed that a treatment of 30 minutes in 3% H2O2 best prevented fungal growth with higher germination rates. These results can help provide guidelines for treatment of seeds in future studies. 16

CHARACTERIZING THE EFFECT OF CHEMICAL SURFACE STRUCTURE OF SALMONELLA ENZYMES ON ICSP CU(IN,GA)SE2 ABSORBERS FOR THIN-FILM PROMOTER ACTIVITY AND THE CONGO SOLAR CELLS RED PHENOTYPE Mary Blankenship1, Bridget Elizan2, James Scott Billings Carter2, Dirk Hauschild2, Monika Blum2, Lothar School of Life Sciences Weinhardt2, & Clemens Heske2 1Department of Mathematical Sciences Faculty Research Mentor: Helen Wing, Ph.D. 2School of Life Sciences University of Nevada, Las Vegas, School of Life Sciences Faculty Research Mentor: Clemens Heske, Ph.D. University of Nevada, Las Vegas, School of Life Shigella flexneri causes bacillary dysentery in humans Sciences and primates and kills around 1 million people every year, most of them children. If we can determine Cu(In,Ga)Se2-based (CIGSe) thin-film solar cells alternative pathways that modulate gene expression achieve efficiencies of up to 22.6% on a laboratory scale in these pathogens, it is possible that these can be [1]. In this investigation, the impact of deionized (DI)- exploited by pharmaceutical companies. Shigella water rinsing on the CIGSe absorber surface is studied species have a “histone-like nucleoid structuring by comparing a rinsed with an unrinsed sample. For protein,” called H-NS, which interacts with DNA, this purpose, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) similar to the way histones operate in eukaryotes. was utilized to gather information on the chemical Since these different proteins function similarly, I structure of the samples at the surface. By analyzing hypothesize that prokaryotes also utilize epigenetic the intensity, energy, and shape of the spectral modification to modulate gene expression. We have features, information about the chemical composition been given a set of 11 enzymes capable of chemically and bonding at the surface can be gathered. It is found modifying macromolecules, and my project this that the DI-water treatment removes adsorbates like summer is to determine if any of these enzymes are carbon and oxygen from the surface. Furthermore, capable of influencing virulence gene expression in the we find a reduction of metal oxides (i.e., indium oxide bacterial pathogen S. flexneri. To do this, I will employ and selenium oxide). These findings are important to two phenotypic tests. The first exploits Congo Red understand the beneficial effect of the treatment for binding ability of S. flexneri colonies - classically CR+ the final solar cell and help to develop strategies for phenotypes correlate well with S. flexneri virulence. further solar cell optimization. The second test will measure the transcriptional regulation of a virulence plasmid borne locus icsP, which is known to be regulated by H-NS and another important regulator of Shigella virulence, VirB. Thus far I have focused on two genes, X and Y. The data collected support my hypothesis, as enzyme X produces a distinct change in the Congo Red phenotype of Shigella colonies producing this enzyme, and both enzymes X and Y result in a decrease in icsP promoter activity. My next step will be to determine if the 9 other enzymes cause phenotypic change in Shigella flexneri. A SKIP IN THE BEAT?: COMPARING CHARACTERIZING A LYSOGENIC STRAIN MUSICAL BEAT PERCEPTION IN CHILDREN OF PAENIBACILLUS LARVAE WITH AND WITHOUT STUTTERS Hector Aviles Da Laina Cameron1, Jessica Nave-Blodgett2, Karli College of Southern Nevada, Department of Nave2, Erin Hannon2, & Joel Snyder2 Biological Sciences 1University of Denver 2Department of Psychology Faculty Research Mentor: Christy Strong, Ph.D. University of Nevada, Las Vegas, School of Life Faculty Research Mentor: Erin Hannon, Ph.D. Sciences University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Department of Psychology American Foulbrood Disease is a fatal infection of honeybee larvae caused by Paenibacillus larvae (P. Rhythm and beat are subtle, yet critical aspects of a larvae); a bacterium that is devastating agriculture person’s day to day life. Every step we take, every worldwide. We propose treating P. larvae infections breath we breathe, and every word we say is part of with a bacteriophage, a virus that specifically infects a rhythm. Both music and language are rhythmic in certain bacterial species. The Amy laboratory has nature and structured in time. When humans listen isolated a bacteriophage designated Willow, which to rhythmic patterns, they often perceive quasi- infects and kills P. larvae. Willow has two possible life isochronous points in time underlying those rhythms: cycles, a lytic and a lysogenic cycle. As a lytic phage, beats. These beats can be heard at multiple periodic Willow causes lysis (cell death) in infected bacteria levels, organized hierarchically: meter. Meter in music through the release of phage progeny. As a lysogenic is patterns of strong downbeats and weaker upbeats, phage, Willow remains dormant within the genomic while in language it is patterns comprised of stressed DNA of infected cells. It is noteworthy that the lytic or unstressed syllables. Previous studies suggest that cycle can be induced in lysogenic phage. The goal of individuals who stutter have difficulty forming and my experiments is to optimize the transition between maintaining an internal rhythm to pace their speech. lysogenic and lytic cycles using hydrogen peroxide. Because listeners often mark time in rhythms with Lysis can be induced in infected bacterial cells through beats, this may mean that individuals with stutters oxidative stress of DNA with hydrogen peroxide. may have a lessened ability to identify and internally Using different concentrations of hydrogen peroxide perceive metrical hierarchies in rhythms. In our (2 mM and 3 mM), previously established lysogenic lab, we have developed two different paradigms to strains of P. larvae (strains 2188 and 3650) were study the perception of metrical hierarchies and an induced into lysis. My optimization experiments have individual’s internally generated beat percept. We provided my fellow researchers with an increased have data from over 180 typically-developing children level of control over their Willow lytic experiments. that provides a baseline for the normal development For example, knocking out certain Willow genes of beat perception. We propose to recruit children putatively associated with the lytic cycle and then participants ages 4-17 that have stuttering disorder performing a controlled induction using hydrogen to determine if individuals with stutters do not peroxide will either confirm or disprove the genes’ perform the same as typically developing children in role in the lytic cycle. Our future research may lead beat perception tasks. If we find a difference in their to a better understanding of trigger mechanisms in abilities when controlling for age and musical training, lysogenic cultures, which then may be used to treat this could give us a direction of inquiry for developing infected honeybee larvae. pre-screenings and interventions for language disorders. 18

HUNTING FOR HOLINS IN THE HISTOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF LUNG TISSUE PAENIBACILLUS LARVAE PHAGE WILLOW FEATURES IN RODENTS EXPOSED IN AREAS GENOME WITH NATURALLY OCCURRING ASBESTOS

1 1 2 Erin Cassin , Alicia Salisbury , Hector Aviles , Camille Catelo 1 1 1 Philippos Tsourkas , Penny Amy , & Christy Strong School of Nursing 1School of Life Sciences 2 College of Southern Nevada, Department of Biological Faculty Research Mentor: Sean Neiswenter Sciences University of Nevada, Las Vegas, School of Life Sciences Faculty Research Mentor: Christy Strong, Ph.D. University of Nevada, Las Vegas, School of Life Sciences Naturally occurring asbestos (NOA) refers to minerals Paenibacillus larvae is the causative agent in a fatal honeybee present in rocks and soils that through deterioration larvae infection known as American Foulbrood Disease. become airborne fibers. These fibers cause asbestos- The bacterial spores are highly infectious, contributing related lung diseases such as pleural plaques, fibrosis to worldwide declines in honeybee populations. Infected and asbestosis. The presence of relatively high levels bee colonies have traditionally been treated with broad of asbestos fibers collected around Boulder City in a spectrum antibiotics. As a result, antibiotic resistant P. recent study suggests that people living in the same larvae is common in commercial hives. area could be experiencing ongoing exposure to Alternatively, phage therapy has reversed P. larvae asbestos fibers. Asbestos fibers accumulate over time infections with no adverse effects to bees. Phage are in the lung tissue and represent the cumulative effect highly-specific viruses which only infect bacteria. of all the short term environmental variation that an Following infection, phage replicate their genome and individual is exposed to. A native wild caught mammal burst the bacteria in an event called lysis. therefore may provide a valuable indicator of the Paenibacillus larvae phage Willow can also undergo potential health risk of NOA exposure in humans, lysogeny, integrating its genome into the bacterial which would represent the accumulation of fibers chromosome. Bacteria containing integrated phage under natural exposure. We are going to compare genomes are called lysogens. Established protocols for genetically modifying bacteria are far more prevalent the differences in lung fiber burden and pathology in than for phage, which makes lysogenic phage easier to rodents from an area of high NOA and construction, alter than lytic phage. El Dorado Valley, with those collected in an area Published P. larvae phage genomes identified three with low NOA and no construction, the Red Rock potential holin genes. Holins are phage proteins which conservation area. Histological preparations include puncture holes in bacterial membranes. Our goal is to lung tissues to be processed and fixed in paraffin wax, knockout these genes, disrupting their function using then serially sectioned at 3-5 um and stained with a plasmid Targetron system designed for lysogenized Masson trichrome, Toluidine Blue and Perl’s staining. P. larvae. Knocking the holin gene out will result in Quantitative analysis of pulmonary fibrosis will be significantly reduced lysis of P. larvae during plaque assay. conducted and used for comparison among species To better characterize Willow’s lysogeny for holin and will be done using a scale in which histological knockouts, two experiments were performed. The features will be assessed by a system of grades from patch assay verified that P. larvae strain 3650 lysogens can 0-8. We believe that our study will help us identify spontaneously induce lysis. The sensitivity assay confirmed if there are any negative health-related effects from P. that genetically similar phages cannot efficiently infect environmental exposure to NOA. larvae 3650 Willow lysogens. These results allow us to use Targetron for Willow gene knockouts in P. larvae lysogens. DESIGN AND SYNTHESIS OF IONIC LIQUID DESIGN OF A FLUIDIZED BED CRYSTALS PHOTOREACTOR FOR THE APPLICATION OF ADVANCED OXIDATION PROCESSES TO Anthony Chang WATER TREATMENT School of Life Sciences Kevin Chau Faculty Research Mentor: Haesook Han, Ph.D. Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry Faculty Research Mentor: Erick R. Bandala Gonzalez, Ph.D. Ionic liquid crystals are a class of relatively new Desert Research Institute materials that have the combined properties of both of ionic liquids and liquid crystals. They can potentially Water is one of the most valuable resources in be used in production of electrolytes in components Southern Nevada. In order to conserve its quality, involving battery applications. As electrolytes, they contaminated water must undergo various treatment have been used for ion conductivity in solar cells, and methods for the removal of contaminants. Among energy efficient electrochromic displays. They can be these, Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOP’s) have prepared through the modification of anion exchange emerged as an alternative to conventional water of 1,1′-dibutyl-4,4′-bipyridinium dibromide salt treatment technologies for the removal of highly aka as viologen. Due to its high melting point, and persistent contaminants. AOP’s include the photo- decomposition at high temperatures, this viologen assisted Fenton reaction where ferrous iron is coupled does not show liquid crystal properties by itself. with H 2 O 2 and UV radiation for the production In this project, we synthesized and characterized of highly oxidant species, hydroxyl radicals (HO • ), a series 4-alkylbenzene sulfonic acids of varying for the degradation of contaminants. In this study, carbon chain lengths. The synthesis of these sulfonic copper slag, a iron-rich industrial waste, was used as acids was carried out by sulfonation reaction of the heterogeneous catalyst conducting the photo-assisted respective 4-alkylbenzenes. They were then purified Fenton process in a fluidized bed photoreactor. and characterized for use in the subsequent ion The photoreactor was designed taking into account exchange reaction. As a result of the ion exchange different variables such as the copper slag particle’s reaction aka metathesis reaction, new series of weight, size and porosity in the Carman-Kozeny viologens with new counterions were synthesized and equation. Different hydrogen peroxide concentrations characterized to be explored for their liquid crystal (e.g., 1, 2.5, 5, and 10mM) and the presence or properties. After metathesis reaction, extensive absence of UV radiation (100 W/m 2 ) were used to washing and recrystallization in organic solvents determine the production of hydroxyl radicals using were conducted to purify. They were identified using the N,N- dimethyl-p- nitrosoaniline (pNDA) probe. experimental techniques including FTIR, 1H, 13C The experimental results confirmed that Fenton NMR spectrometer and elemental analysis. reactions are achievable with heterogeneous catalysts like copper slag and that H 2 O 2 concentrations in the range between 2.5-5.0 mM and UV radiation were the best conditions for the reaction to operate at its peak efficiency. The results also suggested that copper slag must be activated with water before any reaction to commence. Thus the hydroxyl radical production was achieved with the right amount of radiation and water flow rate circulating in the fluidized bed. 20

ANTIDEPRESSANT ACTION OF 25I-NBOH UNDERSTANDING 5HT2 RECEPTOR EXPRESSION TO DEVELOP NOVEL Chase Colburn ANTIDEPRESSANTS School of Life Sciences April Contreras Faculty Research Mentor: Dustin Hines, Ph.D. Department of Psychology University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Department of Psychology Faculty Research Mentor: Rochelle Hines, Ph.D. University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Department of Psychology Major Depression is a heterogeneous disorder with a high lifetime prevalence. It affects about According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 10-30% of people worldwide, and is predicted to at least 300 million people suffer from major depression become one of the leading causes of disability in the worldwide. Although the pathophysiology behind coming decades. Symptoms of Major Depression depression is unclear, the monoamine neurotransmitter include depressed mood, anhedonia, and suicidality, serotonin (5HT) is known to be involved in mood among others. Despite its prevalence, there is a regulation, and may play a role in symptoms of depression. lack of expedient and efficacious treatments. For Commonly used antidepressant medications, such as example, classic antidepressants have near instant selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), take at neurochemical effects, yet their therapeutic action least two weeks to alleviate depressive symptoms, and takes weeks. There is a need for novel, fast-acting, and consumers tend to report adverse effects like insomnia efficacious antidepressants. We propose 25i-NBOH, and sexual dysfunction. In recent groundbreaking which our preliminary data shows to have expedient clinical trials, hallucinogenic agents acting on the 5HT2 antidepressant action. 25i-NBOH is a highly specific, receptor subtype have been shown to alleviate depressive and potent, serotonergic agonist. It acts upon symptoms in patients more rapidly, robustly, and with 5-HT2A, a postsynaptic serotonin receptor. However, longer lasting effects than SSRIs. 5HT receptors can be found in the cortex, limbic unlike classic antidepressants, 25i-NBOH shows structures, and basal ganglia. These receptors are antidepressant effects in as little as two days after involved in modulation of both excitatory and inhibitory administration. This is supported by our behavioral neurotransmission, as well as mediation of psychoactive data, which included the Open Field Test (OFT) and drug action. Through the present studies we hope to Forced Swim Task (FST). Additionally, we investigated better understand 5HT2 subtype selective drugs and the electrophysiological effects of 25i-NBOH, which their potential as antidepressant agents. We will quantify showed significant neurological changes immediately 5HT2 receptor expression in the cortex and limbic after injection of the drug. Together our behavioral structures to accurately understand their distribution in and EEG data show promise, for the efficacious and both glutamatergic and GABAergic terminals, as well expedient antidepressant action of 25i-NBOH. as in surrounding astrocytes and microglia. Preliminary results from our study show that 5HT2A receptors may be found in both parvalbumin-positive interneurons in the prefrontal cortex, and Iba1-positive microglia throughout the brain. Understanding the localization of these receptors will promote development of targeted therapies that may alleviate depression more quickly, and for longer periods of time than current treatments.

This research was presented at the Spring 2017 Undergraduate Research Forum at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, April 21, 2017. THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN BODY SIZE, THE ART.IS.T PROJECT STARVATION TIMES AND FECUNDITY IN F2 FEMALE HYBRIDS OF FED CONTROL Melissa Del Rosario AND STARVATION RESISTANT LINES OF Department of Architecture DROSOPHILA MELANOGASTER Faculty Research Mentor: Brett Levner, M.F.A. Cassandra Dasmarinas University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Department of Film Department of Anthropology Purpose: The Art.IS.t Project is a short film series of Faculty Research Mentor: Donald Price, Ph.D. interviewing several different artists to attain a better University of Nevada, Las Vegas, School of Life understanding behind the meaning of art, from visual Sciences to performing artists to art designers to filmmakers and architects. Fruit flies of the genus Drosophila have emerged as Method: I personally conducted interviews with each a model system for investigating the physiological artist. The interviews ranged from 30 minutes to 3 adaptation that occurs during starvation. Previous hours of footage with a controlled set of questions studies on D. melanogaster have found that starvation and an example of their work. The controlled set of selected fruit flies tend to have larger body-sizes, questions include: longer survival times, and reduced fecundity “Who are you, What type of artist?”; “What is Art?”; compared to fed (control) lines. However, reasons “How would you describe your art?”; ‘What inspires for these differences are still poorly understood. One you as an artist?”; “Where do you see your art hypothesis suggests that these traits are affected by a industry/field going in the next 100 years?”; ‘When single physiological process and fewer genes, causing did you first consider yourself an artist?”; “What organisms to devote more energy to one process than tips/advice would you give other aspiring artists?”; another. A second hypothesis suggests that starvation “What is the biggest struggle you have personally resistance is more complex and may be controlled experienced as an artist?; How do you feel when you by multiple physiological processes and genes. receive negative criticism?”; “Describe your process.”; We investigated whether body-size, fecundity and and “What is the best/worst part of being an artist?” survival are controlled by a single gene or multiple I then took the footage and edited the interviews independent genes using an F2 genetic recombination together to form the Art.IS.t Project. study between starvation resistant and fed control Conclusions: Art varies from every perspective. The lines provided by Dr. Allen Gibbs. We collected body interviews show similar themes when it comes to size measurements and performed egg-laying and defining art, yet remains diversified from discipline starvation resistance assays on two fed-starved F2 lines to discipline. In watching the different clips, I learned of female fruit flies. We then analyzed correlations how art affects individuals and the community and between all three traits measured. Strong correlations how individuals within the community have the ability between traits suggest that they may be controlled by to create their mark through art and hope that others simpler physiological systems and fewer genes, while can learn from it as well. weak correlations support the complex model for starvation resistance in these flies. 22

THE EFFECT OF COLD WATER IMMERSION ANXIOLYTICS EFFECTS OF TSPO LIGANDS ON RUNNING MECHANICS Audrey Donald Lucas DiBenedetto, Kristyne Wiegand, Kumiko Department of Psychology Hashida, & Julia Freedman Silvernail Department of Kinesiology and Nutrition Sciences Faculty Research Mentor: Dustin Hines, Ph.D. University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Department of Faculty Research Mentor: Julia Freedman Psychology Silvernail, Ph.D. University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Department of Anxiety is one of the most common mental illnesses Kinesiology and Nutrition Sciences in the US and affects 40 million people in the US. Signaling between the fear processing region Many populations use cryotherapy as a common (amygdala: AMG) and the decision making center treatment for minor, acute injuries to a joint or muscle. (prefrontal cortex: PFC) of the brain is corrupted The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects causing stress related behaviors. Medications given of cold water immersion on running mechanics. to help treat anxiety target GABA receptors in an Fifteen healthy adults (age 18-65) reported to the inhibitory manner. However, these medications UNLV Sports Injury Research Center once. After only work for a brief period of time. Studies have providing informed consent, age, height, weight, shown that desensitization of medications given in and body composition were recorded. Participants animal models can occur over a brief period of time. completed a 5-minute treadmill warm up at a self- The likelihood of being free of medications that help selected pace before reflective markers were attached regulate behavior becomes uncertain. For this study, to the lower extremities. Participants were asked to animals will be observed by exhibiting these types run at a preferred pace along a 10-m force platform- of behavior in their closeness in objects in space. To embedded runway while kinetic and kinematic data study this, animals will be observed in how they move were collected. After ten successful trials, defined as in a given time period and how much time they spend when the dominant foot made full contact with the in the center and on the outside of their environment. force platform, the markers on the dominant leg were removed and the lower leg was submerged in cold (10°C/50°F) water for twenty minutes. Markers were re-applied and 10 additional running trials were collected. Water and surface skin temperature were measured using an infrared thermometer at seven time points during and after icing: before ice, in 5-minute increments during ice, immediately after ice, post- marker application, and post-run. The data will be exported to Visual3D for analysis. Ankle angle and peak joint power during late stance will be calculated in Visual3D. These data will be compared between the ice and no ice conditions to determine the effects of cryotherapy on running mechanics. The results of this study may impact the decision to use cryotherapy as a treatment for acute injuries before resuming physical activity. THE EFFECT OF TEMPERATURE ON UTILIZATION OF WAIST CIRCUMFERENCE AN INDICATOR ENZYME IN THE TO DETERMINE TYPE 2 DIABETES RISK PROTOENDOTHERMIC MAMMAL, TENREC AMONG NORMAL AND OVERWEIGHT ECAUDATUS INDIVIDUALS

Nathan Ebiya & Frank van Breukelen Hayley Esdaile School of Life Sciences Department of Kinesiology and Nutrition Sciences

Faculty Research Mentor: Frank van Breukelen, Faculty Research Mentor: Jessica Knurick, Ph.D Ph.D. University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Department of University of Nevada, Las Vegas, School of Life Kinesiology and Nutrition Sciences Sciences Prevalence of type 2 diabetes is rapidly increasing in The common tenrec, Tenrec ecaudatus, is a the United States, and has reached epidemic levels. protoendothermic mammal from Madagascar. There Obesity is a common risk factor associated with is tremendous physiological and metabolic plasticity the development of type 2 diabetes, and it has been in this species. Tenrecs maintained at 12 °C may well studied that central, rather than lower body fat have core body temperatures from 12-32 °C. At the distribution, has a stronger correlation to greater risk same time, oxygen consumption may be remarkably of metabolic complications of obesity. This central variable. Contrary to what might be expected, adiposity is measured using waist circumference tenrecs maintained at 12 and 20 °C and maintaining or waist-to-hip ratio measurements. Often times, a similar body temperature of ~28 °C have similar metabolically obese, lean patients are overlooked oxygen consumption rates. Metabolic activities, such as not being at risk for developing type 2 diabetes as oxygen consumption, follow the Q10 effect where because they do not possess a major risk factor such activity is expected to change by a factor of 2-3 for as being classified as obese. This cross-sectional every 10 °C change in temperature. Citrate synthase study will investigate the use of waist circumference (CS) is a key enzyme for cellular respiration in the measurements with fasting glucose levels of subjects citric acid cycle. Thus, CS activity should mirror with a body mass index of 18.5-29.9 kg/m2 to oxygen consumption. We determined CS activity as a indicate a correlation with risk of developing diabetes. function of assay temperature. CS is less temperature Utilizing waist circumference measurements in a sensitive than expected. These data are consistent with clinical setting will help us to identify more of these the notion that tenrecs are able to perform aerobic at risk individuals, and place them on an intervention respiration at seemingly low body temperatures. plan to prevent development of type 2 diabetes.

This research will be presented at 2nd Annual Nevada INBRE Poster Meeting, August 2017. 24

GUT MICROBIOME EFFECTS ON DESICCATION RESISTANCE IN DROSOPHILA MELANOGASTER

Andrea Darby School of Life Sciences

Faculty Research Mentor: Allen Gibbs, Ph.D. University of Nevada, Las Vegas, School of Life Sciences

The microbiome is the collection of microorganisms that occupy an individual’s skin and intestines, and it has many potential effects on an animal’s physiology. Studies on the gut microbiome indicate that bacteria impact the host’s physiology and expression of genes. Any alteration to it is associated with an organism’s ability to tolerate certain stressors such as starvation. To our knowledge, no study has yet examined whether gut bacteria have any impact on an organism’s ability to tolerate dry conditions, which is important to understand how animals native to arid environments react to a drier climate. The Gibbs lab has reared 225 generations of desiccation resistant (D) Drosophila melanogaster, as well as non-desiccated control (F) populations. I investigated the relationship between desiccation-selected fruit flies and their gut microbiome. D and F flies had similar numbers of gut bacteria. I also studied how flies react to the absence of their gut flora. Axenic flies were generated by bleach washing the eggs, and the adults were submitted to a desiccation survival assay. The axenic desiccation (D) and fed (F) flies were larger and survived ~20% longer than the controls. These results suggest that the gut microbiome may affect insect survival in arid environments. ANTHROPOMETRY AMONG HADZA CHILDREN AND JUVENILES: IMPLICATIONS FOR UNDERSTANDING HUMAN BIOLOGY AND BIOLOGY

Elle Ford Department of Psychology

Faculty Research Mentor: Alyssa Crittenden, Ph.D. University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Department of Anthropology

Understanding growth and development trends among small-scale foraging populations is critical to furthering our understanding of human evolution. While a large body of literature focuses on growth studies cross-culturally, very little data on basic anthropometrics of contemporary hunters and gatherers exist. As the few remaining foraging SessionSession IIII populations around the world are rapidly transitioning to mixed subsistence economies, these data are time sensitive. Here, we report anthropometric data collected from the Hadza of Tanzania to determine Abstracts whether current World Health Organization (WHO) growth standards represent populations like this one. We report data on basic anthropometric measurements among children and juveniles, including height, weight, body mass index, and body fat percentage. The goal of this project is to calculate child and adolescent height, weight, body mass index (BMI [weight (kg)/ height2(m)]), and percent body fat (BF%) for a group of Hadza foragers living in the bush. Data, which were collected in five camps over three field seasons during 2004 and 2005, consisted of biological sex, estimate of age, and measurements of height to 0.5 cm, weight to 0.5 kg, and BF% to 0.1%. These data are critical for comparisons with other small-scale foraging populations, allowing human biologists and anthropologists to generate cross-cultural growth references. Furthermore, they can be used to measure fitness of Hadza children and adolescents as they continue the nutrition transition from foraging to a diet dominated by domesticated cultigens.

This research will be presented at the 18th Annual McNair & AANAPISI Scholars Undergraduate Research Symposium & Reception, November 2017. 26

CLASSROOM AS HARBOR: ROUNDTABLE CORRELATION BETWEEN HEIGHT AND DISCUSSION FLEXIBILITY OF THE MEDIAL LONGITUDINAL ARCH AND SHOCK ABSORPTION Taylore Fox & Tyler Howard Department of English Kumiko Hashida, Lucas DiBenedetto, Kristyne Wiegand, Sophia Bradley, & Julia Freedman Silvernail Faculty Research Mentor: Julia Lee, Ph.D. Department of Kinesiology & Nutrition Sciences University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Department of Faculty Research Mentor: Julia Freedom Silvernail, English Ph.D. University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Department of Our roundtable discussion entitled “Classroom as Kinesiology & Nutrition Sciences Harbor,” at the MELUS Conference, explored how classroom dynamics have changed as a result of the It has been suggested that the structure of the foot arch 2017 election and how the changing social climate may play a role in shock absorption and other force has affected students’ and teachers’ abilities to engage parameters, such as loading rate. Some researchers in uncomfortable dialogues, such as race or religion. believe that changes in these parameters, when applied Our panel consisted of four undergraduate students over time during activities, may contribute to injury. and six professors from various universities around However, the relationship between foot arch type and the United States. All four undergraduates were these force parameters is still not clear. Therefore, the UNLV students. The purpose of the panel was to not purpose of this study was to examine the relationships only discuss university professors’ viewpoints on how between foot arch height, foot arch flexibility, shock to use the classroom as a harbor, but to showcase attenuation, and loading rate during running. Fifteen student perspectives on how educators could improve healthy runners (age 18-45) reported to the UNLV Sports the dynamic of their classrooms. Since UNLV has Injury Research Center for a single data collection. After a diverse student population, each student had a providing informed consent, the participants’ height, weight and age were recorded. The medial longitudinal unique perspective on the classroom as a safe harbor. arch was measured in weight bearing and non-weight We questioned the type of students that safe spaces bearing positions using both a goniometer and the are designed for; the limitations of safe spaces; the JAKTOOL Arch Height Measurement Index System. dynamics in different colleges within the university; After a 5-minute treadmill warm up, accelerometers the dynamics within different universities; as well as were secured to the forehead and distal right tibia. All how to create safe space. participants wore neutral laboratory shoes and were asked to run over-ground at 3.5 meters per second for 10 This research was presented at the 31st Annual MELUS successful trials. A successful trial involved the right foot Conference at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, striking the force platform completely without targeting. Cambridge, MA, April 27-30 2017. Shock attenuation and loading rate were calculated using a custom MATLAB code. The relationships between foot arch height, foot arch flexibility, shock attenuation, and loading rate will be examined using multiple linear regression. The results of this study may be helpful for understanding how differences in foot arch height and flexibility may influence shock absorption and loading rate.

This research will be presented at 2nd Annual Nevada INBRE Poster Meeting, August 2017 THE MEXICAN OIL INDUSTRY AND EFFECTS OF HPV-16,18 ON NORMAL BREAST UNDERREPRESENTED COMMUNITIES TISSUE CELLS

Alejandra Herrera Louisa Heske Department of Political Science School of Life Sciences

Faculty Research Mentor: Miriam Melton- Faculty Research Mentor: Karl Kingsley, Ph.D. Villanueva, Ph.D. University of Nevada, Las Vegas, School of Dental University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Department of Medicine History HPV-16 and 18 have been found in the oral cavity and When it came to Mexican oil in the early 1900s, many have been significantly linked as causative agents of foreign investors wanted to be a part of the thriving oral cancer. Research has shown the effects of HPV industry that was established by Mexican President on breast cancer cells. Recently, HPV-16 and 18 have Porfirio Díaz. One of those foreign investors was, been found in normal breast tissue. The carcinogenic American oil tycoon, Edward L. Dohney. Dohney effects of HPV on oral and breast tissues have been made a fortune in Mexico due to his interaction demonstrated; however, the effect of HPV on non- with the Mexican oil industry. His interests in oil, cancerous breast tissue cells has not yet been studied. like that of many other investors, had an influence Objectives: The objective of this study was to evaluate on the manipulation of Mexican land and Mexican the effects of HPV on normal breast tissue. policy by Mexican presidents. Legal code, in regards Methods: HPV16 and HPV18 strains were used to to underrepresented communities, has often been infect normal, non-cancerous breast tissue cell lines ignored or trampled upon to benefit those in power. Bst-Hs578 and 18485 in vitro. Cellular growth and The emphasis of this paper will be on the historical viability was evaluated to determine if HPV mediated impact of petroleum extraction and property rights any of these cellular phenotypes. Cells were plated on indigenous and underrepresented communities in into 96-well assay plates to measure proliferation. Mexico in the early 1900s. Viability was measured using a BioRad TC20 automated cell counter. Results: Bst-Hs578 plus HPV-16 resulted in 619% increase in proliferation compared to control cells (no HPV) and viability increased by nearly three-fold (18.2% vs. 54%). Bst-Hs578 plus HPV-18 resulted in 806% increase in growth compared to the control after one week of incubation with viability increasing by more than two-fold (18.2% vs. 40.2%). Conclusion: Although studies have demonstrated that HPV can modulate oral and breast cancer cells, no studies have demonstrated that HPV has the potential to mediate the growth of non-cancerous breast tissue. This study may be among the first to demonstrate that HPV is capable of modulating these phenotypes in normal, non-cancerous breast tissue. 28

THE ROLE OF SOCIAL INFLUENCES ON ASSESSMENT OF THE PRODUCTION OF STUDENT EFFICACY, BELONGINGNESS, HYDROXYL RADICAL USING NANO ZERO- ACHIEVEMENT AND RETENTION IN STEM VALENT IRON EMBEDDED IN A MESO-POROUS SILICA MATRIX

Alexis Hilts Steven Huezo1, Soroosh Dehkordi, Jaeyun Moon2, & School of Life Sciences Erick R. Bandala Gonzalez3 1Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry Faculty Research Mentor: Matthew Bernacki, 2Department of Mechanical Engineering Ph.D. 3Desert Research Institute University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Department of Educational Psychology and Higher Education Faculty Research Mentor: Erick R. Bandala Gonzalez, Ph.D. Desert Research Institute This project was aimed at expanding and improving the different measures of social support and understanding Zero-Valent Iron (Fe0) has been shown to detoxify water the role that social support has on a student’s feelings by creating hydroxyl radicals through Fenton-like reactions of competence and relatedness in STEM, with specific combined with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) to get rid of attention given to first generation students, females, organic contaminants. Nano-sized zero-valent iron (n/ and minority students. This study used data collected ZVI) in combination with oxidants and UV radiation, has from an undergraduate introductory biology class been reported can increase the Fenton reaction rate and to conduct reliability analyses to assess the measure make water detoxification more effective. In this work, the production of reactive oxygen species, particularly hydroxyl of social support and the differences in perceived radicals, was assessed for the heterogeneous photo-assisted competence, relatedness, achievement, and retention Fenton-like reaction using nZVI embedded in a mesoporous between underrepresented groups and their majority silica matrix, hydrogen peroxide, and UV-A radiation. The counterparts through multiple analysis of variance experiments consisted of preparing a 10 μM solution of tests. The findings from this study serve to better N, N-dimethyl-p-nitroaniline (pNDA, used as HO• radical understand the role social support has on retention probe) in 100 mL of water and adding the silica-embedded and achievement of underrepresented students in nZVI at three different loads (please include loads of Zvi in STEM. the SBA-15)with or without H2O2, and/or UV-A radiation (λmax= 365 nm). The absorbance of the pNDA was measured and compared to that of clear, deionized water. The trials consisted of using immobilized nZVI alone, immobilized nZVI/H202, and immobilized nZVI/H202/UV.From the experimental results, we have seen that the best conditions for hydroxyl radicals production measured as pNDA bleaching are by the combination of immobilized nZVI/ H2O2/UV despite nZVI, UV-A radiation and hydrogen peroxide alone were capable of bleaching pNDA to a certain extent. The use of the H2O2/UV system reached a plateau in hydroxyl radical production after 20 min of reaction. Two kinetic models are proposed to fit experimental data for the different reaction conditions tested and the obtained results were capable of fitting experimental data fairly good meaning that the proposed reaction mechanisms may occur within the reaction mixture to some extent. This novel material was found with interesting capabilities to produce reactive oxygen species, particularly hydroxyl radicals, under photoassisted conditions and high potential for further photocatalytic applications in water treatment.

This research will be presented at the 18th Annual McNair & AANAPISI Scholars Undergraduate Research Symposium & Reception, November 2017. PREPARATION AND STRUCTURE OF EXAMINING CHANGES IN EXCITATION LANTHANIDE COMPLEXES COORDINATED AND INHIBITION IN A MODEL OF TO FcCOO AND DTBbpy LIGANDS DEVELOPMENTAL EPILEPSY

Natalie Johns, Samundeeswari Mariappan Christina Joya Balasekaran, Pradip Bhowmik, & Frederic Poineau School of Life Sciences Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry Faculty Research Mentor: Rochelle Hines, Ph.D. Faculty Research Mentor: Frederic Poineau, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Department of Ph.D. Psychology University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry The Epilepsy Foundation estimates that 150,000 people will develop epilepsy each year. Epilepsy is Studies of divalent metal (Zn2+, Cd2+, Pb2+) associated with dysregulation of the ratio of excitatory complexes containing ferrocenecarboxylate to inhibitory signaling within the brain, due either to (FcCOO-) and 4,4’-ditert-butyl bipyridyl (DTBbpy) excess excitation or deficient inhibition. Inhibitory ligands were recently reported. The DTBbpy moiety signaling in the adult brain is controlled by the is known for having excellent luminescent properties neurotransmitter gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) and high catalytic activity while the ferrocenyl moiety acting on GABAA receptors, and many forms of has rich redox properties; those complexes are epilepsy have been linked to GABAA receptor expected to have applications in optics and electronics. dysfunction. We have developed a mouse model that Complexes containing trivalent metals (lanthanides, displays developmental epilepsy and early mortality actinides or transition metals) coordinated to DTBbpy resulting from mutation in the GABAA receptor and FcCOO- ligands have not yet been reported. α2 subunit (Gabra2-1). We plan to characterize the The goal of this work is to investigate the preparation cellular and molecular changes that underlie the and properties of trivalent lanthanides complexes developmental epilepsy phenotype in Gabra2-1 mice. coordinated to FcCOO- and DTBbpy ligands. Here, Our studies will examine the excitatory to inhibitory we report the preparation and structure of five synaptic ratio in the frontal cortex of Gabra2-1 mice new complexes. The new complexes exhibit the using immunohistochemistry with antibodies for the stochiometry Ln2(FccpCOO)4(DTBbpy)2(NO3)2 vesicular glutamate transporter (VGluT) and the . CH3CN (Ln = La, Ce, Sm, Eu, Tb) and were vesicular GABA transporter (VGAT). Sections will prepared from the reaction of FcCOONa and DTBbpy be examined using confocal microscopy to quantify with Ln(NO3)3·xH2O in acetonitrile. Single crystal the density and intensity of staining for the excitatory X-ray diffraction (SCXRD) analysis was used to study (VGluT) and inhibitory (VGAT) terminals. Future the structure of these complexes and confirmed the experiments will examine the utility of agents that formulation of Ln2(FccpCOO)4(DTBbpy)2(NO3)2. augment GABAA receptor function (benzodiazepines) The SCXRD analysis also revealed that the complexes in normalizing the excitatory to inhibitory ratio contain dimeric Ln26+ unit (La…La = 4.0357 Å, and the incidence of seizures in Gabra2-1 mice. Tb…Tb = 3.966 Å). The structural, spectroscopic Implications of this study may lead to progress on and electrochemical characterization of the remaining early treatments for developmental epilepsy. complexes is currently in progress. Specifically, we will study how DTBbpy affects the luminescence properties of the lanthanides as compared to divalent metal (Zn2+, Cd2+, Pb2+) complexes. 30

A SWEET DEFEAT: EARLY DETECTION INFLUENCE OF TREATED WASTEWATER OF HYPERGLYCEMIA-LINKED MEMORY IN HYDROPONIC SYSTEMS ON DEFICITS CONTAMINANT BIOACCUMULATION IN EDIBLE PLANTS Nikki Kaplan Department of Psychology Kristen Kujat Nevada State College, Department of Physical and Faculty Research Mentor: James Hyman, Ph.D. Life Sciences University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Department of Psychology Faculty Research Mentor: Jennifer Edmonds, Ph.D. Knowing where to go and where you have been is Nevada State College, Department of Physical and essential for survival. In neuroscience, we refer to Life Sciences this function as spatial working memory and when compromised the consequences can be dire. Damage Growing vegetables in the desert is challenging due to either the hippocampus (HC) or the medial to insufficient natural water sources, desert soils prefrontal cortex (mPFC) or disconnections between that are organic matter poor, and high temperatures the two areas impair behavior in spatial working in the summer. Using treated wastewater in an memory tasks like delayed alternation on a T-maze. In indoor hydroponics system is a feasible alternative intact animals, we can measure interactions between to overcome those challenges and reduce our carbon neural areas by observing oscillations in the local field footprint. However, treated wastewater contains low potentials. During spatial working memory tasks, levels of pharmaceuticals, also known as contaminants there are strong interactions between the HC and of emerging concern (CECs), including antibiotics mPFC in the theta band (7-12Hz). However, when and antidepressants. CECs could bioaccumulate in spatial working memory errors are committed, weaker the edible plant tissues, which we tested by growing theta band synchrony is observed. This task is ideally cherry tomatoes in an aeroponic system irrigated suited to assess network interactions between the two with treated wastewater. We compared plant growth critical brain areas of interest, since by manipulating between a control group irrigated with tap water, the length of the delay one can directly challenge and an experimental group irrigated with treated spatial working memory systems. Using our delayed wastewater. Twice a week we measured water alternation task, we will explore whether memory- chemistry in the reservoir supplying the plants. We related complications in diabetes can be detected also measured plant growth characteristics such as via changes in HC-mPFC theta band interactions. time to germination, number of stems, stalk diameter, We hypothesize that such memory decline is due to plant height, and root length. Samples were collected disruptions in synchronized theta oscillations. Such for future analysis for CECs, as well as determination findings should manifest in subjects running the of microbial community composition of the T-maze with significantly less accuracy, with choices rhizosphere using high-throughput sequencing. We based upon random guesses instead of calculated generated excitation-emission matrices (EEMs) using memory-based decisions. Such findings when paired a fluorometer as a surrogate measure of bulk CEC with impaired HC-mPFC theta interactions imply concentrations in water samples. These preliminary a breakdown in spatial working memory processes, findings will help determine how treated wastewater that may later manifest into more wholesale memory influences plant growth, and whether it will be safe dysfunction associated with other neurodegenerative for human consumption. disorders that have been linked with diabetes, such as Alzheimer’s disease. MANY BABIES: A COLLABORATIVE EVIDENCE FOR A TWO-FACTOR MODEL OF APPROACH TO REPLICATION IN INFANT EMOTIONAL AWARENESS RESEARCH Carl Langley, William Ebmeyer, April Contreras, & Melissa Lacro1, Karli Nave2, & Erin Hannon2 Kimberly A. Barchard 1Harvard College Department of Psychology 2Department of Psychology Faculty Research Mentor: Kimberly Barchard, Faculty Research Mentor: Erin Hannon, Ph.D. Ph.D. University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Department of University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Department of Psychology Psychology

Infancy is an exciting time in human development full Emotional awareness -- the ability to accurately of rapid changes. However, developmental research recognize and describe the emotions of oneself and studies offer their own challenges. Recruiting others -- is of tremendous social and occupational children and infants is challenging and costly, leading value. Six subcomponents of emotional awareness may to smaller sample sizes and lower statistical power. influence scores on the Levels of Emotional Awareness Oftentimes, child studies have a lower retention rate Scale (LEAS): emotional precision, emotional compared to adult studies due to fuss-outs or task complexity, emotional granularity, perspective taking, difficulty. However, replication offers an ideal that emotional verbosity, and emotional breadth. We tries to solve the inherent problems of developmental administered the LEAS to 341 UNLV undergraduates research by attempting to validate previous results (198 female, 143 male). We conducted an or test hypotheses on different populations. The exploratory factor analysis to test our hypothesis UNLV Auditory Cognition and Development Lab that these six subcomponents and three methods of is part of the first multi-lab, registered replication determining overall LEAS scores were indicators effort in developmental research. Together, over of a single underlying factor. The first factor had seventy developmental psychology labs worldwide salient loadings from emotional precision and from are collaborating to replicate theoretically-central the three overall measures of emotional awareness; phenomena of developmental psychology, starting we named it Emotional Specificity. The second with the basic infant preference for infant-directed factor had salient loadings from emotional verbosity, speech over adult-directed speech. This preference emotional granularity, emotional complexity, has been demonstrated in several studies, but the emotional breadth, and perspective taking; we named conditions in which the effect was observed have it Emotional Granularity. Females scored higher on differed. Stimuli will be standardized across labs, both factors, consistent with previous research that but other variables, like sample demographics and has found females to score higher on overall emotional testing conditions, are going to vary. The goal of the awareness. Future scoring of the LEAS should include Many Babies project is not only to replicate prior both overall emotional awareness scores and scores findings, but most importantly, explore why labs get for Emotional Specificity and Emotional Granularity. different experimental results while using the same These variables may have different developmental set of methods. By participating in a worldwide, courses, be differentially related to psychosocial large-scale, multi-lab replication effort, our lab will deficits, or have different impacts on emotional be contributing to one of the largest and potentially functioning. most impactful replication efforts to date. Infant research is incredibly variable, but understanding This research was presented at 26th Annual Nevada the factors that contribute to this variability can help Psychological Association Conference in Las Vegas, NV, May us create effective studies and discover more about 5, 2016. development. 32

IMPROVING A 7-POINT STENCIL 10 SECONDS AROUND THE WORLD: A CROSS ALGORITHM FROM INTEL WITH CHISEL- CULTURAL STUDY ON TEMPO PERCEPTION BASED HARDWARE ENCODING Jared W. Leslie, Anthony J. Romero, Jessica Nave- Armon Latifi Blodgett, Joel S. Snyder, & Erin Hannon Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering Department of Psychology

Faculty Research Mentor: Sarah Harris, Ph.D. Faculty Research Mentor: Erin Hannon, Ph.D. University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Department of University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering Psychology

Though former studies have improved the efficiency Music has often been called a “universal language.” of a given algorithm through software-based It has facilitated group tasks such as hunting development, the same algorithm can be refined with and cooperative construction, to combining the high-level hardware description language (HDL). experiences of thousands of people at music festivals. Using a C-based HDL called Chisel, the hardware While music may be a human universal, the musical specific to the architecture of the algorithm will be languages are just as diverse as spoken languages across coded, transferred to a field-programmable gate the globe. Because our perception of information in array device (FPGA), and then tested. By creating our environment is affected by our experience and this custom hardware, the algorithm can be run faster upbringing (language, culture, etc.), a single type and with less resources using design-specific hardware of music may not be a “universal language.” Instead, instead of the general-purpose hardware of a CPU. how we perceive music may be dependent on our The custom hardware will expedite performance. prior experience. Music and speech are both rhythmic patterns of auditory information: is the perception of both affected by experience and familiarity? Previous work has shown that listeners perceive speech from a foreign language as spoken faster than their native language: this phenomenon is called the “Gabbling Foreigner Illusion.” This may be because our lack of experience with unfamiliar sound patterns does not allow us to find the underlying temporal organization of the speech. If so, we would expect to find the same effect in music, with listeners unable to accurately estimate the speed of unfamiliar musical styles.. We have designed a truly cross-cultural online study to address this question: we will present music from five different cultures (West African, American, Indian, Turkish, and Latin) to participants from all five cultures, and have them rate the relative speed of musical excerpts. With this project, we hope to start a comprehensive cross-cultural examination of the effects of experience and cultural background on how the brain organizes and processes information in its environment. DESIGN AND SYNTHESIS OF POLYPYRIDYL EFFECTS OF LARVAL STARVATION ON LIGANDS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF ADULT LIPID STORAGE IN DROSOPHILA PHOTOLUMINESCENT MATERIALS Victoria Martinez Jessa Li School of Life Sciences School of Life Sciences Faculty Research Mentor: Allen Gibbs, Ph.D. Faculty Research Mentor: Pradip K. Bhowmik, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, School of Life Ph.D. Sciences University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry The purpose of this research in Drosophila was to see if starvation in earlier stages of life affected Polypyridyl ligands are a class of efficient light the fly’s later weight and lipid content. I used a fed emitting ligands, which can be used in coordination control group and a starvation-selected group. Both with transition metal ions. Together, they act as solar groups contained different population A-C, therefore cells to convert solar energy into chemical energy having [FA-FC] for feed, and [SA-SC] for starved. for human energy consumption to help solve the The F populations pupate when they are four days energy crisis. Due to the short nature of this project, old, but the S populations eat and grow for over 24 I focused on the synthesis of polypyridyl ligands. hours longer. The groups started out at egg form in The usual preparation of these compounds involves food media. Once the F larvae began wandering the S a laborious process including long reaction times, populations were taken out of food and put into agar, harsh reaction conditions, and purification through thereby starving them when they would normally column chromatography. I have synthesized six of become obese. Once the F and S populations were these ligands in a one step process using substituted adults they were both put into fresh food media. The S benzaldehydes and isomeric acetylpyridines, followed populations were put back on food to see if they would by purification by recrystallization from organic stay at the same weight as the F population, or become solvents. The nitrogen positions in acetylpyridines obese as they normally do. The process was to take ten were manipulated in ortho- and para- positions, females and males from each population, dry them, whereas the R-group in benzaldehydes were weigh them, extract them in hexane, and weigh them substituted to various groups. The purity of the again. Lipid content was calculated as the difference compounds have been verified with Fourier transform between the two weights. The F populations stayed at infrared, 1H, 13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectra normal or average weight of a fruit fly, while S flies and elemental analysis. The differential scanning gained weight in the form of lipids. We conclude that calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis were S flies have a genetically determined lipid setpoint that performed to determine their melting transitions and is not affected by starving them at a young age. thermal stabilities, respectively. Furthermore, their

UV-Vis absorption spectra showed λabs values in the range 240-346 nm and light emission spectra showed

λem values in the range of 341-692 nm. 34

MODELING COMBINED RADIATION MOVEMENT ANALYSIS IN THE DISCOVERIES AND IMMUNOTHERAPY IN CANCER OF NOVEL NEURO- DIAGNOSIS, TREATMENT INTERVENTIONS, AND THERAPIES

Tiffany Mata Kendra McGlothen & Dustin Hines Department of Mechanical Engineering Department of Psychology

Faculty Research Mentor: Francis Cucinotta, Faculty Research Mentor: Dustin Hines, Ph.D. Ph.D. University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Department of University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Department of Psychology Health Physics and Diagnostics The diagnosis of neurodevelopmental disorders Cancer has affected many individuals for the past are on the rise, yet very little is known about decades. According to the National Cancer Institute, the pathophysiology of these complex disorders. 39.6 percent of both genders will be diagnosed with Diagnostic criteria for developmental disorders such cancer at one point of their lives. So far, there has been as Retts syndrome are primarily based on impairments no cure for cancer. There are different approaches in social functioning and communication skills (DSM- to treat cancer including immune-therapy, chemo- IV _ TR & ICD-10). However, there is a growing therapy, radiation, surgery, and genetic therapy. I am appreciation of motor deficits in developmental focusing on combining immuno- and radiation for disorders thought to be related to cortical dysfunction. the treatment of cancer. Immuno-therapy considers The cortical theory of movement control states incorporating the immune system to combat cancer that the cortex is critical for planning, sequencing cells meanwhile different types of radiation (such and executing movements. Using a murine model as, gamma rays, x-rays, protons, and carbon) can be of Retts syndrome we tested the cortical theory of used with differential effects to cancer and normal movement using the open field task and a novel social cells to improve cancer treatment. Clinical trials are interaction paradigm. Measures of distance, speed and important for cancer research but because it costs a time spent in the periphery (a measure of anxiety) lot of money and time, mathematical modeling is an will compare a genetic model of Retts syndrome to efficient approach. You may learn from the mathematic wildtype control mice. Our results suggest that Retts model on how you would conduct the treatment, such mice have less spatial and temporal organization to as what dosage or type of radiation to use. MatLab their movements along with potentially higher levels is a software used to create models and simulations. of anxiety. In general these results suggest that while I initially used MatLab to see how different doses of although Retts mice are capable of most movements, radiation affected cancer cells, as well as fractionation. it is the planning and sequencing of these movements Predictions were made for the surviving fraction of that is largely impaired. Additionally, the analysis of cells for three types of radiation (x-rays, protons, movement and the cortical theory will be critical in and carbon) and for hypoxic and aerobic cells that the discoveries of novel neuro-diagnosis leading to have different radiation sensitivities and occur within unexplored interventions and possible new therapies. a tumor. I then commenced coding differential equations to determine the interaction between the immune system and tumors. The point of combining immune-therapy and radiation is to consider new more successful treatment approaches. CHARACTERIZING THE ANTIBIOTIC DETERMINATION OF GENDER EFFECTS ON RESISTANCE OF ENTEROCOCCUS BACTERIA ADH1 IN WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANTS Kristie Menjivar Sean Medina Nevada State College, Department of Physical and School of Life Sciences Life Sciences

Faculty Research Mentor: Daniel Gerrity, Ph.D. Faculty Research Mentor: Amber Howerton, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Department of Civil Ph.D. and Environmental Engineering Nevada State College, Department of Chemistry

The proliferation of microbial communities in Alcohol dehydrogenase 1 (AHD1) is the oxidative wastewater can lead to serious problems in the enzyme that metabolizes alcohols within the liver. community. Most of the treated wastewater in Las From previous studies, it has been reported that the Vegas directly leads to the Las Vegas Wash, but a small metabolism of ethanol is lower in alcoholic women portion of this wastewater is used for public parks than in men. This is believed to be true due to the and golf courses. With various community uses of decrease ADH1 activity that helps contribute to the the treated wastewater, it is important to study the elevated blood alcohol concentrations. effects of microbial communities in the wastewater For this research project, I plan to inspect female and to evaluate the degree of development of antibiotic male cells to help determine their ability to regulate resistance in individual microbes. The research project ADH1. The cell lines I plan to use for my male cells, will primarily focus the investigation of antibiotic specifically, will be human hepatoma G2 cell lines resistance bacteria among Enterococcus bacteria in while my female cell lines will be based on Human wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). Enterococcus Female Hepatocyte. Hep G2 and Human Female bacteria are known to be opportunistic microbes Hepatocyte cells will be treated with bile salts to that have the potential to cause pathogenic diseases understand and compare the expression levels within among people. Recent data have shown that microbial a population of female and male cells. The ADH1 communities in wastewater evidently develop protein expression levels will be determined by whole antibiotic resistant genes (ARGs) post-treatment. protein extraction and Western Blot analysis. My research project will compose of two experimental This project can hopefully help reveal findings about procedures to evaluate the antibiotic resistance of the expression of ADH1 and allow for the comparisons Enterococcus bacteria before and after the disinfection of alcohol metabolism between sexes. It may also help stage in WWTPs. These two experimental procedures illustrate important differences that may exist between are the use of culture-dependent techniques and the genders concerning alcohol related illnesses. minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) assays. The culturing technique will measure the number of microbial colonies that form in the pure culture of Enterococcus bacteria. The MIC assay aims to measure the actual concentration of antibiotic substance that will inhibit the growth of the bacteria. Based on the data that presents the development of ARGs in microbial communities during wastewater treatment, I predict that the Enterococcus bacteria used in this research project will also develop antibiotic resistance. 36

IMPROVING THE FUNCTIONALITY OF A A NOVEL BEHAVIORAL TASK FOR LOW-COST PROSTHETIC HAND ASSESSING THE NATURE OF REWARD PREDICTION IN RODENT ACC UNITS Patrick Messimer Department of Mechanical Engineering Ryan Francis Department of Psychology Faculty Research Mentor: Brendan O’Toole, Ph.D. Faculty Research Mentor: James Hyman, Ph.D. University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Department of University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Department of Mechanical Engineering Psychology

In 2014, a team of UNLV engineering students and Our lab recently discovered novel signal generation in staff produced a prosthetic hand for four-year-old the rodent anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), resulting Hailey Dawson who was born with Poland Syndrome. from outcomes in a probabilistic reversal learning The UNLV hand was a modified version of two public task. Firing rates of ACC units track and predict domain prosthetic designs: Robohand and Flexyhand. probabilistic outcomes, however additional research The prosthetic was a 3D-printed structure that used is needed to uncover what drives these predictions. Hailey’s wrist rotation to open and close the fingers. To investigate this, we designed a novel learning maze Since then, engineering faculty, student researchers, where reward is always certain, but the location of and senior design students have continuously worked reward is within one of two horizontally-opposed to improve the prosthetic hand design. The mechanical reward ports. This maze is in the shape of a “J”, and engineering department now seeks to produce in the bottom section, a yellow LED activates over a prosthetics for other children in the community; port when a trial starts. Upon trial start, our rodents however, the process for producing the current nose-poke the port, spurring the release of a scent prosthetic is time demanding and difficult. Current that indicates whether to go left or right on the top research work is being directed towards designing section of the “J” for the reward. With this design, we an improved prosthetic that it is simpler to produce, can hopefully record internal reward-side predictions assemble, and modify. The new prosthetic will be in the rodent ACC and orthogonalize the neural firing easier to assemble because it reduces the number of patterns of experiencing reward from predictive tight fit connections in the prosthetic’s assembly. In firing, thus allowing us to confirm that ACC units addition to improving the physical design, researchers record actual prediction. are also improving the methods used to produce the CAD files which are required to manufacture the 3D printed parts. The files are being constructed so that researchers will be able scale and modify the prosthetic components more efficiently. This research also contributes towards the goal of creating a more advanced and functional prosthetic that will use electric motors actuate the fingers. SYNTHESIS OF THIO AZAPHOSPHONATES WITH N-HETEROCYCLIC PHOSPHINE- THIOUREAS

Ngantu Le, Hai Huang, & Jun Yong Kang School of Life Sciences

Faculty Research Mentor: Jun Yong Kang, Ph.D. University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry

Thio azaphosphonates and their derivatives have received significant attention in recent years owing to their both biological properties and pharmaceutical applications. Herein, bifunctional N-Heterocyclic Phosphine (NHP)-Thioureas have been designed and applied in the synthesis of thio azaphosphonates. This improved reaction here takes place at room temperature under metal-free conditions and exhibits good functional group tolerance. The key to success is that thiourea group can act as an excellent leaving group due to its nucleophilic property, which was artfully combined with N-Heterocyclic Phosphine (NHP) moiety. 38

DIFFERENTIATION POTENTIAL OF DENTAL PULP STEM CELLS (DPSC) IN VITRO

Eric Mullins1, Karl Kingsley2, & Aaron Wyderka3 1Department of Mathematical Sciences 2School of Dental Medicine 3Faith Lutheran High School

Faculty Research Mentor: Karl Kingsley, Ph.D. University of Nevada, Las Vegas, School of Dental Medicine

Dental pulp stem cells (DPSC) have been the focus of many recent studies to advance tissue and bioengineering for potential treatments. The pluripotency and multi- lineage potential of many DPSC isolates is currently being explored. Recent evidence suggests that three specific growth factors may induce DPSC to differentiate into bone – which may be useful for dental implants or treatments for osteoporosis. Objectives: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of three growth factors on previously isolated SessionSession IIIIII DPSC cell lines. Methods: Using previously characterized DPSC cell lines (dpsc-11836, dpsc-11418, dpsc-8124, dpsc-5423, Abstracts dpsc-8604, dpsc-3882, dpsc-4595), Bone Morphogenic Protein (BMP-2), Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) and Mineral Trioxide Aggregate (MTA) were added to in vitro cell cultures. Cellular growth, viability, and biomarkers of differentiation were evaluated to determine if these factors induced changes to DPSC cellular phenotypes. Cells were plated into 96-well assay plates to measure proliferation. Viability was measured using a BioRad TC20 automated cell counter. Results: Three DPSC cell lines exhibited changes to cellular growth and viability (dpsc-8124, dpsc-3882, dpsc-11836) in response to VEGF, while dpsc-8604, dpsc-11836, and dpsc-418 exhibited responses to BMP-2 administration. Cellular morphology and biomarkers of bone differentiation (expression of Dentin Sialophosphoprotein, DSPP and alkaline phosphatase ALP) are currently being evaluated. Conclusions: These data may be among the first to describe the potential to induce bone differentiation in DPSC isolates in vitro. More research will be needed to describe the pathways controlling these phenotypic behaviors, which may be useful in determining potential therapeutic uses for DPSC. CHILDREN SYNCHRONIZE THEIR FINGER BOWEL AND BLADDER INJURIES SECONDARY TAPS TO RHYTHMS THROUGH ITERATED TO INTRAUTERINE DEVICE PERFORATION REPRODUCTION Ian Ogurek1, Kevin Choi2, Maddie Jo Evans3, Linda 4 3 Jessica Mussio, Karli M. Nave, & Erin Hannon Tran , & David Howard 1 Department of Psychology Department of Kinesiology and Nutrition Sciences 2Touro University, Nevada, College of Osteopathic Faculty Research Mentor: Erin Hannon, Ph.D. Medicine 3Department of Sociology University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Department of 4School of Medicine Psychology Faculty Research Mentor: David Howard, M.D., Rhythm is ubiquitous to human communication. The Ph.D. ability to speak with a native accent or play music University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Department of depends on listeners’ ability to perceive, remember, Sociology reproduce and synchronize with rhythmic patterns. Previous research has shown that rhythm perception Objective: To conduct a preliminary systematic review of and production appear to be constrained such that case reports of bowel and bladder injuries secondary to longer intervals are related to shorter intervals by intrauterine device(IUD) perforations. simple integer ratios such as 2:1. In a recent study, Data Sources: Searches were conducted using PubMed participants listened to a rhythm that had a non- with the following medical subject heading and text integer ratio of intervals, and on each successive words: “bowel and IUD,” “bowel complications with trial, they were presented with the iteration of the IUD,” “bladder complications with IUD,” and “bladder rhythm that they had tapped on the previous trial. IUD.” Results showed that participants’ tapping converged Methods: Included case reports were screened based on onto integer ratios. No one has investigated whether their abstract, then further filtered based on method of diagnosis, management and outcome. Studies were children’s tapping also converges on integer ratios excluded if they were not in English. when listening to non-integer rhythms. In the Results: We reviewed 33 cases of either bladder(n=18) proposed study, children ages 4- to 9 years will listen or bowel complications(n=15) secondary to IUD to a musical rhythm and synchronize to it by tapping perforation. The 33 women ranged in age from 24 to 50. their finger. On each trial, they will be presented with In 20/33 case reports the type of IUD was described. the tapping iteration they produced on the previous In 17 out of these 20 cases, the perforating IUD was a trial. If preference for integer ratios changes across copper IUD. Out of the 33 total case reports reviewed, development, then we would expect older children’s 22(66.7%) required multiple modes of imaging as part (7-9 years) tapping to converge on integer ratios of the of the diagnostic work-up. The majority of the patients rhythms more quickly, compared to younger children (29/33) were managed with minimally invasive surgical (4-6 years). In addition, it is possible that younger methods with the remainder requiring laparotomy. children have not developed preference for rhythm All but 1 patient(32/33) made a full recovery post- integer ratios, and thus will not show any convergence operatively. after successive iterations of the rhythm. Results will Conclusion: When an IUD perforates the uterus have implications for the development of rhythm and injures the bowel or bladder, multiple imaging processing and will pave the way for subsequent modalities are frequently required as part of the studies of rhythmic tapping in children. diagnostic workup. The overwhelming majority of these reported cases involve the copper IUD. Finally, minimally invasive surgical methods are almost always This research was presented at the Spring 2017 sufficient and almost all patients appear to have a full Undergraduate Research Forum at the University of Nevada, recovery. Las Vegas, April 21, 2017. This research was presented at 43rd Society of Gynecologic Surgeons Annual Scientific Meeting in San Antonio, TX, March 26-29, 2017. 40

KEEPING THE BEAT WHEN IT IS NOT YOUR HOTEL TVS À LA MODE? OWN: TESTING CROSS-CULTURAL BEAT PERCEPTION IN CHILDREN Sandra Perez Department of Sociology Liza Patrice Paez1, Karli Nave2, Joel S. Snyder2, & Erin Hannon2 Faculty Research Mentor: Si Jung Kim, Ph.D. 1School of Nursing University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Department of 2Department of Psychology Entertainment Engineering and Design

Faculty Research Mentor: Erin Hannon, Ph.D. Around 46 million people visited Las Vegas in 2016, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Department of that is almost the total population of Spain. The Psychology Las Vegas Strip is an area of 4.2 miles on Las Vegas Boulevard, where people experience state of the art Experience shapes our perception. What people IT installations, art pieces, and live productions. This hear, see, and learn during development affects how led me and Professor Si Jung Kim, my faculty advisor, they perceive their world. Humans’ ability to find to investigating the metadata of the Las Vegas Strip as the beat (periodic pulse) in music is influenced by well as hotel television experiences in Las Vegas. experience. This begins in infancy: babies prefer music We conducted online surveys as qualitative studies that with culturally-familiar beat patterns over culturally- consisted of 21 questions. All the data was analyzed by unfamiliar beats. In our lab, we have shown that young descriptive and inferential statistical methods. children can maintain a beat percept after listening to As a result, there are a total of 34 hotels on the Strip, music with a beat pattern common in their culture, 65000 hotel rooms, and every hotel room in the Las even after the music becomes ambiguous. However, Vegas Strip has at least one television. The two main there are few studies that investigate if children reasons for visiting Las Vegas include family vacations can internally maintain a beat when it is culturally and conferences. The average length of time watching unfamiliar. Using our current paradigm, we will TV is 105 minutes while the median is 120 minutes. present children with culturally familiar and unfamiliar The major reason for TV watching is to relax. TV music with different beat patterns. We will recruit 4-9 experience is likely enjoyed during people’s hotel year old children from the United States, and have stay; cellphone and internet use during TV-time is them listen to music with familiar and unfamiliar beat frequent, it is likely that less time would be spent patterns. The musical rhythm eventually becomes “beat watching TV during the next stay. Many participants ambiguous”, meaning that the listener can hear it with prefer watching TV programs on mobile devices, and either the familiar or unfamiliar beat pattern. Finally, said that a TV is less likely to be needed in a hotel a drum probe comes in, and the child must indicate room. whether the drum matches to the music. If children From this study, we identified that some ways in which are influenced by which beat patterns are common in we can improve TV experience is by having more free their culture, then they should have higher accuracy content, smart TVs, and TVs with interactive user when the musical beat is more familiar compared to interfaces. when the musical beat is culturally unfamiliar. This study will help us understand how children’s ability to sustain an internal beat percept is affected by their cultural background. CAUGHT ON CAMERA: WHO SPENDS ARE TENRECS ‘PRIMITIVE’ MAMMALS? MORE TIME ENGAGING IN CROSS-RACE INTERACTIONS? Alhan Rezazadeh, Claudia Silva Rubio, Lori McFadden, Michael Treat, & Frank van Breukelen Paula Ramirez School of Life Sciences Nevada State College, Department of Psychology Faculty Research Mentor: Frank van Breukelen, Faculty Research Mentor: Laura Naumann, Ph.D. Ph.D. University of Nevada, Las Vegas, School of Life Nevada State College, Department of Psychology Sciences

There is a large literature examining the benefits of Tenrecs are poorly known placental mammals that engaging in cross-race, or interracial, friendships have many ‘ancestral’ type features. For instance, (Toosi, Babbitt, Ambady, & Sommers, 2012), but tenrecs have a cloaca, a common urogenital opening, little research has examined the predictors of having normally associated with animals like fish, reptiles, and maintaining cross-race friendships. Furthermore, and birds. The phylogeny (evolutionary origins) much of the research on interracial friendships of placental mammals is poorly resolved. Despite has heavily relied on experimentally-manipulated the sequencing of 39 mammalian genomes, there friendships (e.g., lab-studies; assigned roommates) or are three major competing hypotheses for the deep self-reported friend networks. While informative, the rooting of placental mammals. It should be noted generalizability of findings is limited due to artificially- that retroelement insertion analyses (old RNA created relationships or because participants over- viruses that insert into genomes) support all three report the number of friendships with people of hypotheses. However, these data should be mutually different races (Galupo & Gonzalez, 2013; de Souza exclusive meaning that genomic data are unlikely to Briggs, 2007). The present study examines naturally- resolve how placental mammals evolved. As such, the occurring friendships and identifies whether the rooting of placental mammals may require revision. friendships are same-race or cross-race friendships. To Our morphological study sheds light on the phylogeny identify the naturally-occurring relationships, we used of placental mammals by comparing the features of new camera technology that captures photographs of Tenrec ecaudatus with the hypothetical placental participant’s surroundings every 30 seconds and then mammal ancestor, Shrewdinger. Features such as a coded the photos to determine the amount of time lack of zygomatic arch, the presence of a cloaca, a the participant spent with others, the average level lissencephalic brain and the location of the testes near of engagement with others, and the composition of the kidneys all suggest that T. ecaudatus possesses interaction partners (e.g., gender, race, and age). We more ancestral features than even the presumed will examine the relationship between aspects of the placental mammal ancestor. Our findings warrant a participant’s self-reported personality, the likelihood revision in placental mammal phylogeny. of engaging in more cross-race interactions, and if there are differences in friendship quality as a function of type of interaction. We hypothesize that people who are more extraverted and more open to experience will spend more time in cross-race interactions, and this will be especially true for White participants. This study aims to capture naturally-occurring behavior that is less subject to response or memory biases to examine who is most likely to engage in cross-race interactions. 42

BIOMARKERS OF INFLAMMATION MODELING SPECIES INTERACTIONS WITH HARVESTING USING NONLINEAR Tanya Ricasa DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS School of Life Sciences Delon Roberts Faculty Research Mentor: Barbara St. Pierre Department of Mathematical Sciences Schneider, Ph.D. University of Nevada, Las Vegas, School of Nursing Faculty Research Mentor: Monika Neda, Ph.D. University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Department of Mathematical Sciences Purpose: To determine leukocyte infiltration patterns within muscle fibers after 24–48 hours of a crush The purpose of our research is to create more injury. sophisticated mathematical models of two interacting Background: Skeletal muscle accounts for nearly 50% species consisting of one predator and one prey either of of body tissue, and skeletal muscle is critical for our which may be harvested from the environment. We are mobility, the completion of our normal physical creating our models using a coupled system of nonlinear activities, and engagement in recreational physical differential equations. Due to the complicated nature of activity. However, skeletal muscle is easily injured by a the system, numerical methodologies must be employed variety of insults, including trauma, and consequently, to understand how the system behaves. Quantitative skeletal muscle injury can hinder our mobility and methods can only be used with the simplest systems and physical activity. When skeletal muscle is injured, therefore quickly become burdensome. the process of inflammation occurs. Leukocyte Numerous numerical methods presently exist for solving migration is fundamental in the inflammatory differential equations, some of which we are using in response. Within injured muscle fibers, leukocytes as our research. Though unfortunately, methods of solution evidenced by specific protein expression can exhibit for differential equations may alter drastically with different distribution patterns. That is, leukocytes small changes in the form of the equation. In addition, some of the present numerical algorithms are either not may be distributed (a) only along the periphery of an very accurate or take large amounts of computational injured muscle fiber, (b) at the both periphery and time. We are therefore studying how to create more center of the injury fiber, or (c) only in the center. computationally robust algorithms to more effectively By determining the infiltration patterns of leukocytes solve our systems of differential equations. within injured muscle fibers, we will have an increased To attain our research goals we are using Matlab and understanding of the leukocyte response to muscle C++. Both languages are well known to have many injury. This increased understanding may lead to the numerical algorithms for solving differential equations. development of interventions to ensure the timely and We will also employ partial differential equations to complete recovery of muscle injury so we can quickly better model species interactions in the near future. Due return to our normal mobility and physical activity to the extreme difficulties in solving most PDE’s, we after muscle injury began our research studying ODE’s. Methods: Ten-micron thick serial cross sections (n = 4 Due to a preliminary analysis, we expect to find that per muscle) of injured muscle were immunolabeled more robust computational algorithms may be created with antibodies that recognize specific leukocyte to better understand the qualitative nature of the proteins, CD11b and CD68. After immunolabeling, system. Improvements in numerical analysis are similar image analysis was used to track the CD11b and CD68 to improvements in other fields such as automotive protein expression within injured fibers. engineering: the product will always be able to be improved upon. This research will be presented at the 18th Annual McNair & AANAPISI Scholars Undergraduate Research Symposium & Reception, November 2017. INVESTIGATING MUSIC PERCEPTION IN LOOD CELL DYNAMICS IN A DIVERSE POPULATIONS THROUGH ONLINE PROTOENDOTHERMIC MAMMAL TESTING Charles Ronkon & Frank van Breukelen Anthony J. Romero, Jared W. Leslie, Jessica Nave- School of Life Sciences Blodgett, Joel Snyder, & Erin Hannon Department of Psychology Faculty Research Mentor: Frank van Breukelen, Ph.D. Faculty Research Mentor: Erin Hannon, Ph.D. University of Nevada, Las Vegas, School of Life University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Department of Sciences Psychology In classic models of hibernation such as the ground Music is a universal feature of human experience. squirrel, there is a marked leukocytopenia during Its ubiquity makes it a useful tool to investigate the torpor wherein white blood cells (WBC) are effects of culture and experience on perception. Our sequestered to lymphoid tissues. Common tenrecs perception of things in our environment, like music, (Tenrec ecaudatus) have a novel form of hibernation. is influenced by a lifetime of regular experiences We asked if a similar leukocytopenia was present in with familiar things. Every culture has music, but just torpid tenrecs. We determined hematocrit (PCV), like human languages, each musical “language” varies total and differential (based on type) WBC abundance, widely: we are best at understanding and interpreting clotting time (CT), and overall cell morphologies. the musical “languages” we are most familiar with. We examined the effect of both torpor status and Previous work has shown that listeners can perceive a body temperature (Tb). Surprisingly, we found no beat in music, but they are best at this with culturally simple effect of torpor status or Tb. Similar to what familiar music. When testing how experience affects has been found in the monotreme platypus, WBC perception, it is ideal to test people with varied abundance varied from 0-77,220 cells•µl-1. We experiences: diverse cultural backgrounds and/or found sequestration of WBCs to the splenic trabeculae music and dance training. However, traditional subject of the white pulp. Tenrec hematocrit varied from pools are often limited to Western, college-aged 15-46% (mean = 31±2.3%). There is remarkable students. Therefore, we wanted to replicate and extend variability in morphology of WBCs and red blood our laboratory work on music perception by accessing cells in tenrecs. We developed a model to explain new populations. We developed and launched an the variability in WBC abundance. We suggest that online version of our music perception study, and increased endothermy/homeothermy may have gained access to new, non-college aged samples with allowed for a more consistent availability of WBCs and greater demographic variation. We replicated prior, in- improved immune function. laboratory results in a nontraditional environment for data collection, suggesting that high-quality data can be obtained outside of a controlled setting. However, with new methods come new challenges: generating engagement, confronting higher dropout rates, and accessing samples without internet access. Our next steps will be to translate the study into different languages and conduct cross-cultural research targeting groups of interest (e.g., dancers, musicians, specific cultural groups, etc.) so that findings can be generalized more broadly.

This research was presented at the Society for Music Perception and Cognition Meeting in San Diego, CA, July 30-August 3, 2017. 44

LONGITUDINAL, LINGUISTIC ANALYSIS INVERTEBRATE UTILIZATION OF RIPARIAN OF CRITICAL THINKING, INQUIRY, AND PLANT COMMUNITIES RESTORED IN A COMMUNICATION SKILLS DEVELOPMENT DESERT WATERSHED AMONG SECOND-YEAR SEMINAR STUDENTS Nha Trang Vivian Sam, Matthew W. Rader, & Scott R. Abella Yana Ryjova School of Life Sciences Department of Psychology Faculty Research Mentor: Scott Abella, Ph.D. Faculty Research Mentor: Matthew Bernacki, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, School of Life Ph.D. Sciences University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Department of Educational Psychology and Higher Education Sixty thousand acres of land have been exposed due to receding water levels at Lake Mead National Many postsecondary institutions offer first- and Recreation Area. While this is alarming in terms of second-year seminar courses to promote retention, water storage, this exposed land acts as new habitat help students transition to college, and improve for many terrestrial plants and animals. A previously academic outcomes. This study examined the impact inundated riparian-desert area along the Las Vegas of a second-year seminar on learning outcomes of Wash is dominated by stands of non-native Tamarisk communication, inquiry, and critical thinking by (Tamarix ramosissima), with few scattered individuals analyzing student writing samples at two times points of native Fremont cottonwood (Populus fremontii), in a semester using LIWC text analysis software. Goodding’s willow (Salix gooddingii), and seepwillow Results found that students showed significant baccharis (Baccharis salicifolia), and was chosen as improvements in written communication, inquiry, our study site. In January 2017, UNLV students and and critical thinking skills as a result of the course. volunteers from the local community carried out Results also indicated that improvements were most preliminary plantings of native trees in order to begin pronounced for women and first-generation college developing experimental techniques for augmenting students, subgroups that performed significantly native vegetation establishment in this unique worse at the start of the semester. The findings have environment. Invertebrates have since been important implications for universities seeking to inventoried from the site to collect pre-treatment data improve the second-year experience, and develop for future restoration experiments and to gauge the student’s learning outcomes. habitat value of the newly exposed land. Invertebrate species, such as insects, are critical to ecosystems, as they pollinate plants, provide a food source to other species, and recycle materials. With this information, we can better gauge the stabilization of ecological communities, enhance pollinator habitat, and develop management techniques to conserve native species. REGROWING A TAIL; DOES REGENERATION INTERFERON-GAMMA AS A NOVEL CATCH UP TO NORMAL SIZE? THERAPEUTIC FOR DEPRESSION-LIKE SYMPTOMS Alexis Sauceda-Quintero & Ai-Sun Tseng School of Life Sciences Ken Schultze School of Life Sciences Faculty Research Mentor: Ai-Sun Tseng, Ph.D. University of Nevada, Las Vegas, School of Life Faculty Research Mentor: Dustin Hines, Ph.D. Sciences University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Department of Psychology Limb regeneration is a process that animals like X. laevis frog tadpoles can accomplish. X. laevis tadpoles Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is a pervasive are a strong candidate to address regeneration issues and persistent affective disorder that afflicts a large because they are able to regrow their tails, which is population of the world. Despite the prevalence of the composed of complex tissues such as spinal cord, disorder, current therapies lack long term efficacy. The notochord, and muscle. Despite the extensive current prevailing theory, the Monoamine Hypothesis, research done on the mechanisms of tail regeneration, accounts for an impressive proportion of medication it is unknown whether the regenerate tail grows prescribed even though it can be ineffective for to the same length as a normally grown tail. Tail therapeutics. Additionally, patients placed on current regeneration is needed for the tadpole to continue medications for MDD have a low chance of remission performing its biological needs like swimming and and typically rebound back to pathophysiology. coming up to the surface for air, but is it needed to However, a recent trend to discover rapid acting fully regrow a normal-sized tail? To gain insight on antidepressant therapies has led to the examination this topic, this project focuses on determining if of the immune system and the role it plays in MDD, regenerate tails result in similar length to a normal looking at the relationship between the pathways tadpole tail. Different groups of tadpoles will have implicated in MDD and related mechanisms of the their tails amputated. The tail, regenerate tail, and immune system. These immune mechanisms have been full tadpole lengths will be measured 7 and 14 days identified through small molecules released by the after amputation. Group 1 will be the control group, immune system such as cytokines. Our lab examined and these tadpoles will not undergo tail amputation. a novel cytokine singling ligand, interferon-γ and its Group 2 and 3 will have 1/3 and 2/3 of their tails relationship to MDD etiology, using mouse models amputated, respectively. The measurements obtained of depressive like behaviors, electroencephalography will be compared to measurements of normally (EEG) and intracerebral infusion of interferon-γ. Our developed tails. Preliminary experiments suggest that results show an increase in brain activity at specific regenerate tails are different in size than normally frequencies associated with sleep. This change in grown tails. Understanding this question will address brain activity resulted in antidepressant like behaviors whether regeneration is needed to restore only as shown in rodent tasks associated with depression function or both function and size. like behaviors. In conclusion, our results suggest that interferon-y could be a possible novel therapeutic target for the treatment of depression-like behaviors in patients with inflammatory status. 46

DIRECTLY TESTING THE NUTRIENT OXYTOCIN AND GRANDMOTHERING ASSIMILATION MODEL FOR THE BEHAVIOR EVOLUTION OF ENDOTHERMY Lexy Silva Daylin Sigler & Frank van Breukelen Department of Anthropology School of Life Sciences Faculty Research Mentor: Peter Gray, Ph.D. Faculty Research Mentor: Frank van Breukelen, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Department of Ph.D. Anthropology University of Nevada, Las Vegas, School of Life Sciences Oxytocin has been shown to promote social bonding between related individuals, romantic partners, and Most mammals have a high degree of body temperature parents and their offspring. Grandmothers are a large (Tb) regulation known as endothermy. Endothermy source of alloparental care all around the world and the can be defined as an increase in metabolism which presence of a grandmother has been shown to improve leads to an increase in Tb. One hypothesis for the a child’s chances of survival. Testing oxytocin levels evolution of endothermy is the nutrient assimilation in grandmothers can give us a better understanding model. This model suggests the warmer the animal, of the biological motivators behind grandmothering the more nutrients are extracted from food and the behavior. We hypothesize that grandmothers will shorter the gut transit time. Tenrec ecaudatus, the experience a rise in oxytocin after spending time common tenrec, is a great model system due to their with their grandchild. This study tests grandmother’s highly variable Tbs ranging from 12-34 C. The gut oxytocin levels both in a control situation and after transit time component of this hypothesis was tested a bonding session with their grandchild. We are still by determining when defecation events took place collecting samples at this time. with the use of cameras and fluorescent powder given with their food five days out of the week. The tenrecs were placed in different ambient temperatures to achieve an established range of body temperatures. This allowed for the determination of gut transit time as a function of Tb. The definition and methods by which gut transit time was determined will be discussed. INVESTIGATION FOR EVIDENCE OF ABILITY AND TRAIT EMOTIONAL ACTIVE IMMUNITY IN TORPID TENREC INTELLIGENCE PREDICT DIFFERENT ECAUDATUS ASPECTS OF ACADEMIC SUCCESS

Catlene Jeorgia Smith, Frank van Breukelen, & Fae Tahimic1, Kaela Palmer, Joanne Angosta,& Lori McFadden Kimberly A. Barchard2 School of Life Sciences 1School of Nursing 2Department of Psychology Faculty Research Mentor: Frank van Breukelen, Ph.D. Faculty Research Mentor: Kimberly A. Barchard, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, School of Life Ph.D. Sciences University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Department of Psychology Administration of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is a common method used to induce pyrexia (fever) Educational institutions and financial aid organizations in animals. Previous studies demonstrate that LPS often look for ways to predict which students will have injection during hibernation resulted in pyrexia only the most academic success. Our paper examines the during the subsequent periodic arousal between relationship between academic success and emotional torpor bouts. However, hibernating tenrecs do not intelligence (EI). There are two approaches to EI: experience these arousals. I will determine if tenrecs Ability and Trait EI. Ability EI is the ability to perceive are able to invoke a pyrexia following LPS injection. one’s own and others’ emotions and understand this information so emotions can be used and regulated productively. It is usually measured using maximum- performance tests. Trait EI is the non-cognitive capacity to successfully cope with environmental demands and pressures, and is usually measured using self-report assessments. We conducted a literature review of the relationship of Ability and Trait EI with three measures of academic success: GPA, standardized exam scores, and student conduct. Ability EI has moderate correlations with GPA and SAT scores. However, little research has examined the relationship between Ability EI and student conduct. In contrast, Trait EI has weak correlations with GPA and standardized tests, but predicts which students will be truant or expelled in secondary school, and which students will remain in university. This review demonstrates that Trait and Ability EI predict different criterion variables. However, the review also highlights gaps in the literature. Most studies of student conduct used Trait EI measures. Additional research using Ability EI measures is needed. Moreover, Ability EI is correlated with verbal ability and Trait EI is highly correlated with personality. For example, students that exhibit deviant behavior usually have different personalities than their classmates. Thus, incremental predictive validity studies should be emphasized. 48

THE EFFECTS OF SPANISH IMPERIALISM ON MURINE MODEL OF SOCIAL ISOLATION BISON MIGRATION ALTERS ASTROCYTE ENDFEET MORPHOLOGY Jenni Tifft-Ochoa Department of History Beatriz Torres Department of Psychology Faculty Research Mentor: Jeff Schauer, Ph.D., & Miriam Melton-Villanueva, Ph.D. Faculty Research Mentor: Dustin Hines, Ph.D University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Department of University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Department of History Psychology

Although there has been extensive research about the Major depression is a highly prevalent and lethal effects of the railroad and United States military on disorder. The neurobiology of the disease is poorly the near extinction of the North American Bison, little understood but exposure to chronic stress is recognized is known about the effect of the Spanish Empire on to be a significant risk factor for the development of the species that was fundamental to the survival and depression. Changes in cell morphology and signaling continuity of Indigenous states and societies. This are thought to be the mechanism at the root of this study focuses on how the Spanish Empire’s east Texas dysfunction. While changes in neurons from exposure mission system altered bison migration through its to stress have been extensively examined, considerably construction of large cattle ranches and its inadvertent less is known about the effects on glial cells. Research introduction of bovine disease to bison herds. has shown that each of the different types of glial Archaeological research, primary documents detailing play an important role in both brain and behavior. daily life in the missions, and financial records shed Astrocytes are positioned to play an important role in light on the drastic shift in bison migration during the behavior because of their tight coupling with synapses 17th century when the east Texas mission system was termed the “tripartite synapse.’ This study employs a being built and was fully operational. This project murine model of social isolation (SI) as a passive stress will contribute to additional research on similar model to examine morphology and signaling changes projects focusing on the intersectional space of the in astrocytes. We hypothesize that astrocytes will play Spanish Empire, Environmental, Borderlands, and a critical role in behaviors relating to SI. Mice were Indigenous history. Researching the effects of the east socially isolated post weaning for a duration of 2-4 Texas mission system on the migratory patterns of the weeks followed by behavioral assessments including North American Bison will help us better understand the Forced Swim Test and Open Field Test. Using the relationship between the Indigenous peoples of the antibody markers and fluorescence microscopy we southwest and the European imperial powers. later measured the cell density, morphology, and end-feet changes of astrocytes. Alterations in the volume of astrocytes following SI suggest that glial cells are important modulators in the development of depressive behaviors. These findings demonstrate the necessity of tight coupling between both glial cells and neuronal cells to maintain neurotypical behavior.

This research was presented at the Spring 2017 Undergraduate Research Forum at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, April 21, 2017. RELIABILITY AND VALIDITY OF THE SYNTHESIS OF NOVEL FLUORINATED CENTER OF PRESSURE MEASUREMENTS PYRONINS FOR MEDILOGIC INSOLES Brandon Walls & Fadel Boumelhem Ashley Trotter, Jessica Deberardinis, & Mohamed Nevada State College, Department of Physical and Trabia Life Sciences Department of Kinesiology and Nutrition Sciences Faculty Research Mentor: Zachary Woydziak, Faculty Research Mentor: Janet Dufek, Ph.D. Ph.D. University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Department of Nevada State College, Department of Chemistry Psychology Pyronins are fluorescent molecules used as staining Accurate center of pressure (COP) data can help agents for nucleic acids such as DNA and RNA. clinicians and researchers gain valuable knowledge Current pathways to produce these fluorophores that can be used to treat patients or expand the field result in a wide array of impurities. Pyronins also of research. We aimed to validate the COP measures commonly exhibit low fluorescence intensity, and of Medilogic ® pressure-measuring insoles (60 Hz) easily photobleach. In prior studies, the addition of against the measures of Kistler ® force platforms fluorine atoms to the fluorescent core of fluorescein (1000 Hz). A total of 29 subjects (6 male, 23 female, derivatives improved the overall photophysical 24.3 ± 6.7 years, 70.4 ± 23.9 kg, 1.66 ± 0.11 m) gave properties of the compound. Under the guidance consent to participate in this study. The participants of Dr. Woydziak, we seek to complete our synthesis were fitted with a pair of insoles, which were placed of a library of novel fluorinated pyronin derivatives against their foot inside a pair of socks. They were then and obtain the characterization and photophysical asked to perform the following tasks: (1) Sit and lift properties necessary to generate a publication. feet off the floor for 5 seconds; (2) Stand stationary for 10 seconds; (3) Sit again, and lift feet off the floor for 5 seconds; and (4) Walk for 5 meters over a pair of sequential force platforms. A successful trial was defined as the completion of all the tasks with distinct foot contact on each force platform. The variables calculated were the maximum mediolateral excursion for the x-axis, path length for the y-axis, standard deviation (x and y directions), and rectangular area (maximum excursion by path length). We’ve concluded that there were no significant differences (p<0.05) for COP standard deviation in the Y direction or for any variable for insole 41-42. The results indicate limitations in the COP measurements of the insoles and that more research is needed to determine the sources of error. 50

ETHANOL INDUCTION OF WILLOW PHAGE IN PAENIBACILLUS LARVAE

Alicia Salisbury1, Erin Cassin1, Hector Aviles2, Philippos Tsourkas1, Penny Amy1, & Christy Strong1 1School of Life Sciences 2College of Southern Nevada, Department of Biological Sciences

Faculty Research Mentor: Christy Strong, Ph.D. University of Nevada, Las Vegas, School of Life Sciences

American Foulbrood Disease (AFB), a bacterial disease of honeybee larvae, has global economic significance. This disease spreads throughout colonies killing the next generation of bees. The causative agent, Paenibacillus larvae, is treated with antibiotics or by burning infected hives and exposed materials. The former method is complicated by antibiotic resistance and bacterial sporulation, while the latter method carries severe financial liability for beekeepers. One alternative treatment is the use of bacteriophages, viruses that infect and destroy bacteria. Bacteriophage co-evolve with their host, unlike antibiotics, making resistance less of an issue. Characterizing these phages will be key to future successful phage treatments of infected hives. The P. larvae phage, Willow, presents as a temperate phage, capable of two life cycles, lysogenic (allow the infected bacterium to remain viable) and lytic (kill the infected bacterium). Currently, we have established and confirmed Willow lysogeny in two different P. larvae strains, 2188 and 3650. The bacteriophage field has established that the lytic cycle is generally induced in response to cellular stress. Our laboratory seeks to establish a controlled lytic induction system for future experiments. I hypothesize that Willow’s lysis of infected bacteria should be inducible in a predictable range if the bacteria are presented with a controlled cellular stress. One established stress method is chemical induction. I applied a chemical stressor, ethanol, to lysogenic strains 2188 and 3650, which induced lysis as compared to my controls. Experiments involving phage gene characterization related to the lytic/ lysogenic cycle can now proceed. CONTENT OF DEGRADATION: BIODEGRADATION

Amanda Arteaga University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Exploring Majors

Faculty Research Mentor: Jacimara Batista, Ph.D. University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Construction

Perchlorate is a chemical that can be naturally occurring or it can be man-made. Most commonly it is man-made. It is usually found in things such as fireworks and explosives. It can also be found in some household items such as bleach. Perchlorate is a dangerous and harmful chemical that can and will affect the biological systems of humans and animals if ingested. Perchlorate is now also found in groundwater, finding its way into organically grown fruits and vegetables. The goal of the research was SessionSession IVIV to see what bacteria is in perchlorate. By getting an idea of what bacteria is in the perchlorate that makes it dangerous, this can help us target it and we can destroy that bacteria. To find what elements can get Abstracts rid of perchlorate is the ultimate goal. With elements such as nitrate or chromium, the groundwater will be mixed in with it to see what can kill off the perchlorate in the water. Over the six weeks, the groundwater was mixed with a few things: nitrate, chromium, or chloracne. This test is known as finding the TDS, or total dissolved solid using methods that were provided in the lab. The results that were wanted were to show that perchlorate can be removed by using simple elements. 52

EFFECTS OF ALBEDO AND SPECTRUM ON HYDROLOGIC WATERSHED MAPPING: PHOTOVOLTAIC PANELS RETURNING AN URBANIZED WATERSHED TO ITS PRE-URBANIZED RUNOFF Allan Bartolome1, Robert Boehm2, Aaron Sahm2, PARAMETERS & Elizabeth Heider2 1East Career and Technical Academy Kira Champelli1, Kazi Tamaddun2, Chao Chen2, & 2Department of Mechanical Engineering Sajjad Ahmad2 1Green Valley High School Faculty Research Mentor: Robert Boehm, Ph.D. 2Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Department of Mechanical Engineering Faculty Research Mentor: Sajjad Ahmad, Ph.D. University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Department of Civil The goal was to calculate how the different surfaces and Environmental Engineering and their corresponding albedo and the spectral irradiance curves vary the performance of a bifacial Large amounts of runoff that are generated in PV panel. It focuses specifically on the effects that urbanized areas during rainfall events cause a the differences in electromagnetic spectrum and multitude of problems, these problems warrant albedo have on PV panels. Albedo refers to the ratio of methods of diverting rainwater to avoid flood sunlight that gets reflected off of the ground and the damage. The landcover of urbanized areas is higher global horizontal irradiance. Using an albedometer, in imperviousness than natural soil which can cause researchers were able to collect how much irradiance damaging amounts of runoff during large rainfall hits the horizontal plane and how much irradiance events. It is the purpose of this project to design is reflected off the ground. The albedometer was a detention basin that would replicate the pre- placed on top of different surfaces to measure their urbanized runoff conditions of a plot of land after albedo. In addition to albedo, we also measured the the plot has been made more impervious by concrete global horizontal spectral irradiance and the spectral from urbanization. Using 100-year rainfall data for irradiance of the light reflected off the ground. the Las Vegas basin, the program HEC-HMS is used Spectral irradiance represents the power per unit area to simulate the effect that the rainfall event would of a given wavelength, measured in watts per square have on a watershed within the Las Vegas Valley either meter per nanometer. Using the quantum efficiency before or after urbanization. The hydrograph that is of a PV cell and its glass encapsulant of the module generated can give a lot of insight as to the number the generated module current was calculated from the and dimensions of structures such as detention basins different ground reflected spectral irradiance curves that could be used to prevent flooding and damage to and compared. buildings. In this study, a plot of land that is 2 square miles in area is selected to serve as a location for a school and a park with a recreational facility. Taking the topographical data from the unurbanized plot of land, the program HEC-HMS is used to run a simulation to determine the runoff potential that the pre-urbanized land has, and thus determine the goal hydrograph that the adequate set of detention basins will create once the land has been urbanized. This hydrograph is then used to design the detention basins as a recommendation of runoff control. GPS AND HEART RATE MONITOR DATA GPS FORAGING DATA AMONG THE HADZA: FROM CHILD FORAGERS AMONG THE IMPLICATIONS FOR UNDERSTANDING THE HADZA OF TANZANIA: TOWARDS A BETTER SEXUAL DIVISION OF LABOR UNDERSTANDING FOOD PRODUCTION 1 2 AMONG HUNTER-GATHERERS Deidra Dilworth & Alyssa Crittenden 1Valley High School 2 Regina de Castro Department of Anthropology College of Southern Nevada, Department of Human Faculty Research Mentor: Alyssa Crittenden, Ph.D. Behavior University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Department of Anthropology Faculty Research Mentor: Alyssa Crittenden, Ph.D. Studying the activity and energy expenditure of hunter- University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Department of gatherer groups helps us learn more about ourselves Anthropology and the biological adaptations that have taken place throughout human evolution. With analysis of data on The degree to which children collect food to foraging treks, heart rate, and the body mass indexes provision themselves and others is considered to be (BMI) among contemporary foragers, connections a characteristic trait of human childhood. The life can be made between such foraging groups and how history stage of childhood is unique compared to our hominid ancestors evolved. Furthermore, we other apes and compared to mammals because it’s an can compare these data to the average working US or extended period of development where sub-adults European city dwellers. Here, we report foraging data are dependent on adults for at least a decade. Another collected among the Hadza hunter-gatherer tribe of unique aspect of human childhood is that children in Northern Tanzania. A total of 28 trips were recorded small-scale non-industrial populations spend large using handheld global positioning systems (GPS) that amounts of time in food collection and processing. recorded distance traveled, moving time, and average walking speed. These data are presented here in order to Here, we report data on child foragers among the increase our understanding of the distances traveled when Hadza – a population of hunters and gatherers in foraging. We found that women, on average, traveled Northern Tanzania. We provide an overview of their 4.16 kilometers whereas men, on average, traveled 4.45 foraging behavior and present data from handheld kilometers. This suggests that such differences are part global positioning systems (GPS) that tracked the of the overall sexual division of foraging labor – which distance they went to forage during 37 days of data is considered to be one of the hallmarks of human collection. We found that, on average, children evolution. Women focus their foraging collection on traveled approximately 4.3 kilometers. There were plant foods, like tubers and berries, and men focus on differences in age - where older children tended to hunting birds and game animals or collecting honey. travel longer distances. Such food collection activities These data are important because they tell us that task offer not only economic benefits, but is also part of specific division of labor does not support the stereotypic their larger play complex. view of subsistence activities. Males and females, while they target different food, travel nearly the same amount of distance and expend the same amount of energy. The sexual division of labor is crucial to the hunter-gathering lifestyle as it’s founded upon the ideas of sharing and provisioning. Looking at the accumulation, women procure more reliable foods, whereas men procure more energy dense foods, which is equally as important. Task specific division is not as reliant on capabilities of a certain gender as it is on the purpose of the food and who it’s being provided for. 54

CULVERT CONSTRUCTION AND ITS EFFECTS PERCHLORATE AND CHROMIUM ON THE LOWER LAS VEGAS WASH BIODEGRADATION USING EMULSIFIED OILS Solomon Feinstein Valley High School Padmanabhan Krisnaswami1, Mark Elkouz, John Gonzales, & Jacimara Batista2 Faculty Research Mentor: Sajjad Ahmad, Ph.D. 1Bannari Amman Institute of Technology University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Department of Civil 2Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research Mentor: Jacimara Batista, Ph.D. The purpose of this research is to see how the building University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Department of Civil of a culvert across the Las Vegas Wash at Sloan Lane and Environmental Engineering will affect the flow rate of the channel. The carrying capacity of the channel will be deduced, taking into Hexavalent chromium (Cr6+) and perchlorate consideration the hypothetical culvert proposed, (ClO4-) contamination in water poses serious and the inflow of the Flamingo Wash upstream of threat to the living organisms. This contamination is the proposed culvert. USGS reports on the current a result of dumping certain wastes generated in the streamflow at a station upstream of the location (the manufacturing and testing of rockets, missiles, rocket confluence of the Flamingo Wash and Las Vegas Wash) fuel etc. an over the years these chemicals have seeped and downstream (the Las Vegas Wash at Vegas Valley into the ground and has polluted the ground water. Rd.) will be taken into consideration and utilized Various techniques have been developed for reducing within the data as well. Furthermore, the purpose such pollutants and bioremediation is one such also includes analyzation of the hydraulic behavior for technique. The term bioremediation by definition future improvements of the selected vessel of water. is the technique that uses organisms to reduce a This investigation includes the use of the program hazardous material to a less toxic or non-toxic form. known as HEC-HMS, to derive certain data points of The lab scale experiments are done using columns reaches of the channel, and the program HEC-RAS, that replicate the environment at the site. Additional to map and analyze water flow within the specific nutrients (EOS-Pro, phosphate and ocean spray) are reach. The scope of this research zeroes in on the also added to promote bacterial growth within the change in and effects of flow with the introduction columns. The objective of this research is to treat the of the proposed culvert, the topography of a channel, groundwater that is contaminated with chromium and the hydraulic behavior within said channel. There (C6+) and perchlorate. Chromium in its hexavalent are a multitude of aspects within this research. A state being toxic is reduced to non- toxic trivalent segment of channel, known as a reach, was chosen to state. Perchlorate on the other hand is reduced to be analyzed. The reach selected for this project is a chlorate by the bacteria. The influent mix is changed reach in the Las Vegas Wash between the confluence of every day and the effluent is sampled and tested for the Las Vegas and Flamingo Washes and the crossing of chromium (Hach Method), nitrate (Hach Method), Vegas Valley Road on the Las Vegas Wash. ammonia (Hach Method), COD (Hach Method) and phosphate (Hach Method). Perchlorate is tested using a Dionex ICS-2000 Ion chromatograph. A FLYING DEXTER: THE CHALLENGE OF A FLYING DEXTER: THE CHALLENGE OF LIVE AERIAL PERFORMER LIVE AERIAL PERFORMER

Kalvin Major, Silver Mendoza-Matute, & Si Jung Silver Mendoza-Matute, Kalvin Major, & Si Jung Kim Kim Southeast Career Technical Academy Faculty Research Mentor: Si Jung Kim, Ph.D. University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Department of Faculty Research Mentor: Si Jung Kim, Ph.D. Mechanical Engineering University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Department of Mechanical Engineering The use of drones in everyday life is becoming more and more prevalent. With Amazon’s talks and Drone use in the field of entertainment is becoming launches of a drone package delivery system, to more prevalent. However, expressing gestures by a some Cities implementing aerial drone surveillance drone is still challenging but has a great potential for by their respective Police Departments. Our goal is various purposes. This project is about the design and to bring the widespread use of drones to the field of creation of a character drone that generates gestures Entertainment Engineering, in the form of an aerial and motions by a built-in articulated structure on the performance. top of a drone. Using a drone, we would create a flying character. Our approach is, rather than simply be given a pre- This character would move as if it were a puppet built drone for our use, to build the drone using in a show. The end goal of our project is to create a do-it-yourself guidance and techniques created by full performance using character drones. This idea is instructables.com. More so, taking individual parts a recent one, but is limited in its capabilities. With of the drone and assembling them allows us to apply all hands on experience, we have created our own basic engineering practices and creativity to build a tricopter, using an open source example. The Design moving character. for the aforementioned character has been completed. Therefore, our project is concentrated on the concept We will begin testing with a rough model before we and application of just that: assembling a drone, begin full construction. documenting the process and results, and adding on During our research, we have stumbled upon a couple the entertainment portion. The end results are the of hiccups. Between needed parts, software issues and drone with a character and immersive experience of one minor lab injury, we are very close to completing being a researcher and engineer. our project. We have documentation of every step and Documentation is also an important part setback we have had during our research. We hope that of the program as it is advised to keep track of current this documentation will be useful to others who may progress as well as obstacles in order to maintain a wish to continue or repeat our research. database of the project for future usage. Recording Throughout the experience we have looked each objective and sketching are another element to for competitions, symposiums, and other such documentation. Keeping note of the failures is just demonstrative opportunities so that we may improve as important as keeping note of success because it our knowledge and experience with both expert and demonstrates what works and what should be avoided. peer inputs. 56

AN INTEGRATED ECOSYSTEM-LEVEL ANALYSIS ASSESSMENT OF CUFEO AS A SOLAR OF THE DISSIMILATORY NITROGEN CYCLE IN ABSORBER COATING FOR HIGH- GEOTHERMAL SYSTEMS TEMPERATURE CONCENTRATED SOLAR POWER SYSTEMS Carl Montemayor1, Brian Hedlund2, Jose R. de la 3 4 5 To r re , Brandon Biggs , Jeremy Dodsworth , Shreya Idalia Soto1, Jaeyun Moon2, & Dale Karas2 6 7 Srivastava , Senthil Debian, Bruce Hungate , & Kiona 1 7 Veterans Tribute Career and Technical Academy Ogle 2Department of Mechanical Engineering 1Southwest Career and Technical Academy 2School of Life Sciences Faculty Research Mentor: Jaeyun Moon, Ph.D. 3San Francisco State University 4University of Alaska, Anchorage University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Department of 5California State University, San Bernardino Mechanical Engineering 6Miami University 7Northern Arizona University Concentrated solar power (CSP) systems are used for generating renewable energy throughout southern Faculty Research Mentor: Brian Hedlund, Ph.D. Nevada. In the full CSP process, large mirrors direct University of Nevada, Las Vegas, School of Life Sciences sunlight onto a solar receiver that is coated with a special absorbing material to improve solar-thermal It is well-established that microbial diversity is inversely energy conversion. The large amount of heat generated proportional to temperature in terrestrial geothermal from the concentrated solar irradiation is stored in the systems. However, the effects of this loss of diversity on solar receiver that contains molten salts, which can ecosystem function are poorly understood. In this study, then be used to drive conventional engines that create we tested the hypothesis that the dissimilatory nitrogen electricity. To increase the energy efficiency and cost- cycle, and organisms performing key steps in the cycle, competitiveness of CSP systems, bimetallic inorganic are sensitive to high temperature. Five circumneutral oxide coatings, specifically copper-containing spinels, pH springs in Tengchong County, Southwest China were fabricated for their feasibility as a solar absorber were investigated using a combination of ecosystem rate material. Using hydrothermal processes, inorganic measurements and metagenomic analysis. Ecosystem rate measurements of chemolithotrophic ammonia oxide materials are first synthesized as nanoparticles. oxidation and nitrite oxidation were measured using the In a subsequent phase, these nanoparticles are ported 15-N nitrate pool dilution approach, including separate to a slurry solution at an ideal viscosity for deposition measurements for the production of 15-N nitrate/ onto corrosion-resistant high-temperature Inconel nitrite (ammonia oxidation) and 15-N nitrate (nitrite substrates. To verify the quality and morphology of oxidation). Furthermore, various bioinformatics tools the material, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), were used to analyze the metagenomic data and to x-ray diffraction (XRD), and optical absorptance annotate the pathways in the Nitrogen Cycle. Ammonia- measurements were taken on prepared substrates. oxidizing archaea (AOA), ammonia-oxidizing bacteria Copper ferric oxide was characterized against other (AOB), and nitrite-oxidizing bacteria (NOB) from the copper-containing materials developed in previous springs in China were also analyzed for abundance and syntheses. This class of materials has shown no diversity. By comparing the diversity and abundance of degradation after annealing for 1000 hours at high these microbes within the springs’ metagenomes, the temperatures (~750°C), which are promising results effects of high temperatures on the microbes can be for future CSP solar-absorbing coating technologies. assessed. These results will answer questions concerning microbial diversity and the importance of the nitrogen cycle in these geothermal springs. CHROMIUM REMOVAL FROM WATERS CHARACTERIZATION OF ANTI-CANDIDA WITH ION-EXCHANGE AND GRANULAR ACTIVITY BY KLUYVEROMYCES MARXIANUS ACTIVATED CARBON B0399

1 2 3 Alicia Sun1, Amanda Tanaka, & Jacimaria Batista2 Caroline Thomas , Lara A. Turello , Ana Backović , 3 3 2 1Duke University Paola Lovrovich , Alessandro Turello , & Brian Hedlund 1 2 Green Valley High School University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Department of Civil 2 and Environmental Engineering School of Life Sciences 3Turval Laboratories, Scientific and Technological Park, Udine, Italy

Faculty Research Mentor: Jacimara Batista, Ph.D. Faculty Research Mentor: Brian Hedlund, Ph.D. University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Department of Civil University of Nevada, Las Vegas, School of Life Sciences and Environmental Engineering Since the discovery of yeast-antagonism over one hundred Hexavalent chromium (Cr6+) is a highly toxic metal years ago, yeasts have played an increasingly vital role in that is commonly found in groundwater. Cr6+- food production and probiotic development as antifungal contaminated water is typically produced in industrial agents. The growth of Candida albicans, the opportunistic processes such as electroplating, leather tanning, yeast that causes candidiasis, can be inhibited by and textile manufacturing. Contact with such water Kluyveromyces marxianus B0399 (TURVAL® B0399®); is dangerous to humans because compounds of however, the nature of this inhibition is unknown. We hexavalent chromium are strong oxidizing agents, investigated whether C. albicans is inhibited via a killer giving them toxic and corrosive properties that toxin secreted by K. marxianus B0399, or if another can irritate tissue and increase the risk of certain mode of inhibition was responsible. Zones of inhibition in cancers. The objective of this project is to evaluate an agar diffusion assay revealed that K. marxianus B0399 the effectiveness of Filtrasorb 400 (F400) granular inhibits the growth of C. albicans ATCC 10231 and C. albicans ATCC 90028, but only when these C. albicans activated carbon (GAC) and ion-exchange resins strains are at a 103- and 104-fold lower concentration – ResinTech SIR 700 and SBG1-OH – for ex-situ (CFU/mL) with respect to the concentration of K. chromium removal. Aliquot volume of chromium- marxianus B0399. Our well-test assays were not able contaminated wastewater with 10 mg/L of Cr6+ to demonstrate the existence of a killer toxin or other was fed through two columns containing GAC and soluble factors secreted by K. marxianus B0399. This two columns containing SIR700 and SBG1-OH. suggests that anti-Candida activity by K. marxianus Samples were collected every 4 hours and tested for B0399 might be due to resource competition or a Cr6+ following Hach Method 8023. The project specific mechanism requiring direct cell-cell contact. is currently in progress. However, IX resins are To further our understanding of the anti-Candida expected to be more effective compared to GAC activity of K. marxianus B0399, we plan to conduct the because of its selectivity for chromate (i.e. as Cr6+). agar diffusion assay under a range of temperatures and pHs, as well as performing it under anaerobic and low nutrient conditions. These tests should reveal insight into the physiological conditions required for maximal anti- Candida activity by K. marxianus B0399, which will be valuable for understanding the mechanism of action and guide biotechnological development of K. marxianus B0399 as a nutritional probiotic. 58

PMBENCH: BENCHMARK FOR ACCESSING SYSTEM PAGING PERFORMANCE WITH LOW- LATENCY SSDS

David Vega College of Southern Nevada, Department of Computing and Information Technology

Faculty Research Mentor: Jisoo Yang, Ph.D. University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Department of Computer Science

Pmbench is a program that was developed at a UNLV Computer Science laboratory, tracks system paging performance by memory access operations and quantifies microsecond latencies during fault intensive memory operations. Pmbench collects memory access latencies while using up quantities of memory to simulate paging activity. It measures the time taken for each memory access. It is versatile and deployable to popular operating systems using NAND SSD and a prototype low-latency SSD (Solid State Drive) as a swap device. A swap device is used when the physical memory (RAM) is full. The system needs more memory to process applications, inactive pages in memory are moved to this swap device so it can assist the system with RAM to perform its processes. In deploying Pmbench on Microsoft Windows 10 and common Linux distributions. Results showed that the NAND SSD workload exceeded available physical memory making it unsuitable for Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM) most commonly found RAM on computers, but NAND SSD efficiently increased performance on tasks yet its fault service latency thrashed the system more easily. Thrashing occurs when a computers virtual memory is in a constant state of paging causing the performance of the computer to degrade until addressed. The low-latency SSD encourages a better alternative as DRAM. Low-latency SSD outperformed the NAND SSD on both operating systems due to lower media access latency. Low-latency media illustrates that a higher percentage of fault latency can be attributed to software. During our Linux trial the low-latency SSD paging was notably better then Windows 10. Windows 10 was much slower by 8.7 times in handling faults during low-memory conditions. Both these platforms can improve by using Pmbench to locate system bottlenecks that hinder system performance. Our results have shown that low-latency SSDs can be used as a fast paging device and could be a cost-effective solution to large quantities of DRAM in systems. By using Pmbench these finding cannot move forward until steps are taken to improve the lack of performance by current operating systems to low-latency devices when paging is required by the system. This program can be used to identify the source of slowed performance and examine possible solutions. CSUN Scholar Program: Research and Development Scholarship

The Research and Development Scholarship was created for the purposes of recognizing students who display academic abilities and potential. Under this scholarship, two (2) undergraduates will be admitted into the Scholar Program. Eligible students that complete the application will be considered to receive a scholarship of $3,000 per academic year. Recipients inducted to the Scholar Program will be invited along with their family to attend an honorary banquet at the start of the fall semester.

CSUN Scholar Program: Undergraduate Research Stipend

The CSUN Undergraduate Research Stipend was SummerSummer created for the purpose of supporting students who display research ability and potential by providing financial support while they actively engage in a research project. A primary function of Funding this scholarship is to reduce financial barriers that students may face while completing undergraduate PLEASE NOTE: Summer research funding research activities by decreasing the need for outside & opportunity deadlines typically occur employment. Under the CSUN Undergraduate Research Stipend early in the spring semester. scholarship, funding will be awarded to six (6) undergraduate students: 3 recipients from the Social Sciences, Fine Arts, and Humanities, and 3 recipients from STEM fields. Eligible students that complete the application will be considered to receive a scholarship of $5,000 per academic year, to be disbursed in two $2,500 increments during two semesters of the recipient’s choosing (fall and spring, fall and summer, or spring and summer terms).

For information on CSUN opportunities, visit unlv.edu/csun/scholarships 60

National Science Foundation’s Experimental University Libraries Program to Stimulate Competitive Research Lance & Elena Calvert Undergraduate Undergraduate Research Opportunity Research Awards Program (NSF EPSCoR UROP) The Calvert Award recognizes undergraduate The Undergraduate Research component of the students who demonstrate sophistication and current NSF EPSCoR award provides lab and field originality in research projects. Up to five prizes will research experiences, through summer scholarship be awarded in three categories: Emerging Scholars programs and annual fellowship opportunities, to with a $750 prize, Advanced Undergraduate and full-time NSHE undergraduate students. Creative Works with a $1000 prize. roject length These programs fund eligible students either will be dictated by the course instructor or project majoring in mathematics, science, or engineering, advisor who supports the application. Projects or majoring in education and specializing in by individual or groups in all formats are eligible teaching K-12 in the fields of mathematics, science, including: research paper or thesis, design portfolio, or technology. Research is conducted under the theatre designs, visual/fine arts performances guidance of NSHE faculty mentors. The hands-on accompanied by program notes, creative work experience gained through these programs has (writing, art in any format), film/digital media, & proven to supplement classroom learning and serve poster presentations. as gateways to new and exciting opportunities for all participants. For more information, visit library.unlv.edu/award#criteria For more information about this opportunity, visit unlv.edu/sciences/urop/epscor

UNLV McNair Scholars Summer Research Insitute Nevada IDeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence Undergraduate During the UNLV Dr. Ronald E. McNair Summer Research Opportunity Program Research Institute, student scholars work on the (INBRE UROP) research projects that they propose and design under the guidance of faculty research mentors. The Undergraduate Research component of the Scholars come from virtually all academic disciplines, current NSF EPSCoR award provides lab and field such as the fine arts, social sciences, life sciences, research experiences, through summer scholarship engineering, hotel administration, and business. programs and annual fellowship opportunities, to To be eligible for consideration to participate in the full-time NSHE undergraduate students. UNLV McNair Scholars Summer Research Institute, These programs fund eligible students either applicants must be active participants in the UNLV majoring in mathematics, science, or engineering, McNair Scholars Post-Baccalaureate Program, and or majoring in education and specializing in must be classified as a junior with no less than 60 teaching K-12 in the fields of mathematics, science, credit hours. or technology. Research is conducted under the guidance of NSHE faculty mentors. The hands-on For more information about the McNair Scholars experience gained through these programs has Program and the Summer Research Insitute, proven to supplement classroom learning and serve visit caeo.unlv.edu/mcnair/ as gateways to new and exciting opportunities for all participants.

For more information about this opportunity, visit unlv.edu/sciences/urop/inbre UNLV Office of Undergraduate Research Publication Opportunity: Travel Funding Nevada State Undergraduate Research Journal The Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR- UNLV) is accepting applications for OUR-UNLV The mission of NSURJ is dedicated to educating, Travel Funding. This award allocates up to $500 to supporting, and providing a competitive edge for all assist undergraduate student researchers with travel students in the NSHE system. This is accomplished to an academic conference, symposium, or other by providing an accessible, student run, and highly venue to present their scholarly work, or travel selective peer reviewed research journal specifically for resarch purposes (e.g., data collection, sample for undergraduate students. analysis, etc.). As an interdisciplinary journal, NSURJ accepts many forms of submissions. All manuscripts must be thesis 2017 -2018 Application Deadlines: driven. A literature based research manuscript is Fall 2017 (travel from 08/29/17 - 12/17/17): appropriate as it pulls current data and opinion in a Due by September 1, 2017 thesis driven way that offers something original and unique to the field. The standard of a manuscript is Spring 2018 (travel from 12/18/17 - 5/13/17): expected to be higher than that of a college research Due by November 20, 2017 paper. Because new protocols and experiments are often developed, NSURJ includes such development Summer 2018 (travel from 08/29/17 - 12/17/17): as publishable material. Due by April 20, 2018 For more information about how to publish your For more information and to apply, original work in the Journal, visit http://nsurj. visit unlv.edu/our com/

UNLV Office of Undergraduate Research Summer Undergraduate Research Funding (OUR SURF)

The Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR­UNLV) is accepting applications for the newly created Summer Undergraduate Research Funding program (OUR SURF). OUR SURF awards support undergraduate students as they work on their research, scholarship, entrepreneurial, performance or visual art projects in the summer months. Currently enrolled undergraduate students at UNLV, Nevada State College, or College of Southern Nevada working with an NSHE Faculty Research Mentor during summer 2017 are eligible for consideration.

For more information visit, unlv.edu/news-story/our-funding •• •

2017 OUR Director’s Research Mentor Award REsearchREsearch Winner: Hines Group

Awards Represented by Dr. Rochelle Hines Each year, the Office of Undergraduate & Dr. Dustin Hines, Department of Research (OUR-UNLV) recognizes outstanding students for their accomplishments in research, Psychology

scholarship, and performance/visual art, and • faculty for their dedication to undergraduate •• researchers. 2017 CSUN Scholar Program

Research & Development Award

Winners: Zoe Wilbur, Department of Geoscience Jessa Li, School of Life Sciences •• •

Undergraduate Research Stipend 2017 OUR-UNLV Outstanding Undergraduate Researcher Award Non-STEM Winners: Winner: Katie Randolph, Department of Psychology (Double Major) Angela Garcia

Mary Blankenship, Department Honorable Mention: of Economics (Double Major) Michelle Quizon

Alexis Hilts, Department of Political • Science (Double Major) ••

STEM Winners: Michelle Quizon, Department of Mechanical Engineering

Sophia Araujo-Hernandez, School of Life Sciences

Cilla Jose, School of Life Sciences Dr. Erica Marti and Johana Iglesias

Faculty Research Mentors

Student Union Event Services

Student Presenters THANKTHANK Summer REX Participants You! The Division of Research & Economic Development

The Office of the Executive Vice President & Provost

UNLV Office of Undergraduate Research Staff

Volunteers Index of Presenters

IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER BY SURNAME

A E Aquino, Elaine 5,12 Ebiya, Nathan 6, 23 Araujo-Hernandez, Sophia 1, 13 Esdaile, Hayley 6, 23 Arteaga, Amanda 11, 51 Aviles, Hector 5, 17 F Feinstein, Solomon 11, 54 B Ford, Elle 7, 25 Baker, Adriana 5, 13 Fox, Taylore 7, 26 Bakerink, Tristan 5, 14 Francis, Ryan 7, 36 Barker, Jeffrey 5, 14 Bartolome, Allan 11, 52 Benito, Serena 5, 15 H Berghel, Kevin 5, 15 Hashida, Kumiko 7, 26 Billings, Scott 5, 16 Herrera, Alejandra 7, 27 Blankenship, Mary 5, 16 Heske, Louisa 7, 27 Hilts, Alexis 7, 28 Huezo, Steven 7, 28 C Howard, Tyler 7, 26 Cameron, Da Laina 5, 17 Cassin, Erin 5, 18 Catelo, Camille 6, 18 J Champelli, Kira 11, 52 Johns, Natalie 7, 29 Chang, Anthony 6, 19 Joya, Christina 7, 29 Chau, Kevin 6, 19 Colburn, Chase 6, 20 Contreras, April 6, 20 K Kaplan, Nikki 7, 30 Krisnaswami, Padmanabhan 11, 54 D Kujat, Kristen 7, 30 Dasmarinas,Cassandra 6, 21 Darby, Andrea 11, 53 Del Rosario, Melissa 6, 21 DiBenedetto, Lucas 6, 22 Dilworth, Deidra 11, 53 Donald, Audrey 6, 22 L S Lacro, Melissa 7, 31 Salisbury, Alicia 10, 50 Langley, Carl 8, 31 Sam, Nha Vivian Tran 10, 44 Latifi, Armon 8, 32 Sauceda-Quintero, Alexis 10, 45 Le, Ngantu 8, 37 Schultze, Ken 10, 45 Leslie, Jared 8, 32 Sigler, Daylin 10, 46 Li, Jessa 8, 33 Silva, Lexy 10, 46 Smith, Catlene Jeorgia 10, 47 Soto, Idalia 11, 56 M Stordock, James 5, 13 Sun, Alicia 11, 57 Major, Kalvin 11, 55 Martinez, Victoria 8, 33 Mata, Tiffany 8, 34 McGlouthen Kendra 8, 34 T Medina, Sean 8, 35 Taggart, Ryan 5, 13 Mendoza-Matute, Silver 11, 55 Tahimic, Fae 10, 47 Menjivar, Kristie 8, 35 Tifft-Ochoa, Jenni 10, 48 Messimer, Patrick 8, 36 Thomas, Caroline 10, 57 Montemayor, Carl 11, 56 Torres, Beatriz 10, 48 Mullins, Eric 9, 38 Trotter, Ashley 10, 49 Mussio, Jessica 9, 39 V O Vega, David 11, 58 Ogurek, Ian 9, 39 W P Walls, Brandon 10, 49 Paez, Liza Patricia 9, 40 Palmer, Kaela 10, 47 Perez, Sandra 9, 40

R Ramirez, Paula 9, 41 Rezazadeh, Alhan 9, 41 Ricasa, Tanya 9, 42 Roberts, Delon 9, 42 Romero, Anthony 9, 43 Ronkon, Charles 9, 43 Ryjova, Yana 9, 44 Notes CONTACT US!

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